Abstract 2171: Viral infection as an etiological risk factor for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL): A comparative study between Egypt and Sweden

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between increased risk of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein Barr viruses infection in some countries including Egypt. We therefore assume that the progression of DLBCL might be enhanced by chronic viral infection and that specific pathways can be targeted for the prevention and therapy of DLBCL. Our aim is to assess the possible role of viral infections in the development and progression of DLBCL by determining the genetic profile of DLBCL cases from areas with different prevalence of viral infection. Methods: Gene expression profile of well-characterized cases of DLBCL (30 from Egypt and 16 from Sweden) together with their normal matched controls was studied using the Affymetrix Human GeneShip U133 plus 2.0. Data sets were assigned to two groups (Swedish and Egyptian) and the expression profiles were compared to identify genes that were differentially expressed between the groups. Lists were compiled of all genes for which expression was differentially either induced or suppressed >2-fold between groups. The gene lists were categorized according to their biological functions as described in GeneSpring and Ingenuity. Validation studies were done using RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistovhemistry. Results: After statistical analysis and filtration by fold change more than 2 times, 2790 genes entities were differentially expressed in the two groups. 1) STAT 2 was highly expressed in Swedish patients and the difference between the two patient groups is clearly indicated in the IFN signaling pathway, 2) higher expression of antigen presentation gene in Egyptian patients compared to Swedish patients (HLA-DQA1, HLA-B, MHCIIα, MHCIα), and 3) higher expression genes in wnt signaling pathway in Egyptian patients compared to Swedish patients (wnt7A, β catenine, CK1). Conclusions: Chronic viral infection could be a risk factor for DLBCL in Egypt (which represents an area with high prevalence of viral infection) but not in Sweden.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2171.