DCEG investigators are examining the role of genomic instability in the etiology of NHL with HIV-infection as well as in the general population, using materials from cohort and case-control studies conducted by the Division. This project builds upon the previous observation of the t(8;14) translocation in circulating lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients without NHL. Lymphoma specimens from the Prostate Lung Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening trial have been tested for consenses translocation sequences of t(14;18) and t(11;14). Prediagnostic peripheral blood lymphocytes will be examined for oncogenic chromosomal translocations associated with risk of subsequent NHL and/or clonally related to these tumors. Lymphoma specimens will be examined for tumor suppressor gene and oncogene alterations, and viral DNA sequences. Nested case-control and cohort analyses will be used to determine risk factors for these abnormalities, and their association with risk of subsequent NHL.
For more information, contact Charles Rabkin.