Clinical and laboratory observations in a lymphoma‐prone family

Abstract

Three sisters developed non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Thirteen maternal relatives had adenocarcinomas of various types, predominantly breast and large bowel. Detailed laboratory assessment of this family revealed a variety of immunologic abnormalities. Two lymphoma patients had elevated anti‐early antigens (EA) Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) titers. One of the two also had a markedly elevated anti‐viral capsid antigen (VCA) EBV titer. The two lymphoma patients were human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐identical, but two unaffected siblings shared the same HLA haplotypes. One of the lymphoma patients and four unaffected family members were anergic; and three unaffected family members had a decreased percentage of T‐cells. These data suggest that a subtle disturbance in cellular immune functions may play a causal role in some familial aggregations of malignant lymphoma. Copyright © 1987 American Cancer Society