Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HUMAN VIRUS-ASSOCIATED HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES (MEETING ABSTRACT)
Fifteenth Symposium of the International Association for Comparative Research on Leukemia and Related Disease. October 6-11, 1991, Padova/Venice, Italy, p. 49, 1991.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/92682400 Levine PH; Blattner WA; Viral Epidemiology Section, NCI, Bethesda, MD
Abstract:
The long history of virus-induced hematologic malignancies in a variety of animals strongly suggested that viruses would also be implicated in the etiology of human leukemia and lymphoma. Considerable clinical, epidemiologic and laboratory evidence links two viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), to Burkitt's lymphoma and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, respectively. In both cases, however, malignancy is a rare occurrence in infected individuals. In contrast, HIV-1 is emerging as a major cofactor in the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and it is possible that in coming years up to 25% of lymphomas in the US will be linked to this virus. In this report we review studies investigating cofactors for oncogenesis and the epidemiologic considerations relevant to the etiology of virus-associated hematologic malignancies. Analytic studies suggest that while HTLV-I can be transmitted perinatally by sexual contact, transfusion and needle injection, early life exposure may be particularly relevant to the subsequent occurrence of ATL after a long latent period. It is postulated that additional carcinogenic events may be necessary for malignant transformation. The recent finding that farming occupations are associated with HTLV-positive lymphoma is consistent with studies of B-cell lymphoma in the United States where farm chemical exposure, possibly involving immunologic perturbation, explains this association. Newer viruses and disease associations are emerging, including the detection of a number of EBV-associated antigens in biopsies from patients with Hodgkin's disease and the identification of human herpesvirus-6 DNA in both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Epidemiologic patterns of virus-associated hematologic malignancies may provide important clues to both disease causation and control by identifying important cofactors.
Keywords: Agriculture Blood Transfusion Burkitt's Lymphoma/*ETIOLOGY Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Herpesviridae Infections/COMPLICATIONS Herpesvirus 4, Human Herpesvirus 6, Human/GENETICS Human HIV Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION *HIV-1 *HTLV-I HTLV-I Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION Leukemia, T-Cell/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*ETIOLOGY Lymphoma/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*ETIOLOGY Lymphoma, B-Cell/ETIOLOGY Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*ETIOLOGY Needles Occupational Diseases/CHEMICALLY INDUCED Risk Factors RNA, Viral/ANALYSIS Sexually Transmitted Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY ABSTRACT 920830
M9281103
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
