Cytokines associated with Burkitt’s lymphoma in western Kenya

Abstract

ObjectiveBurkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is a common aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in East and Central Africa among children. Persistent infections with Epstein Barr virus or Plasmodium falciparum are associated with immune hyperstimulation. It is hypothesised that inadvertent cytokine responses to infections indirectly or directly influence B cell neoplastic transformation through c-myelocytomatosis (c-myc) gene translocation. We sought to describe cytokines in children and adolescents with BL. Participants were recruited from western Kenya with parental consent, diagnosis confirmed using histology and consensus panel of immunohistochemistry antibodies. T helper1/2/17A and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) cytokines were estimated using cytometric bead array in plasma. Complete blood counts (CBC) were determined by Beckman Coulter®.ResultsOut of 104 enrolled participants, 32% were confirmed BL and 68% grouped as non-BL. Mean (pg/ml) levels of cytokines in BL and non-BL were: interleukin (IL)-6 100.3 and 39.4 p = 0.152; IL-10 11.5 and 12.5 p = 0.363; IL-17A 17.8 and 64.9 p = 0.094 respectively. Expressions of interferon-γ, IL-2 and tumour necrosis factor-α were low and TGF-β1 undetectable in both groups. Mean CBC differed between the two groups before and after chemotherapy, WBC being significantly so. Interleukin-6, IL-17A and IL-10 responses to infections in the study area may be associated with pathogenesis and be potential therapeutic targets.

Immunology of EBV-Related Lymphoproliferative Disease in HIV-Positive Individuals

“…African populations are at risk of co-infections with EBV and other pathogens, and co-infections are seen in cases of Latent protein-specific CTLs that are active against EBV can be expanded and can achieve responses in type 2 latency HL and NHL (OR up to 60%) (215)(216)(217)(218) Cytokine therapy with low dose interleukin-2 results in expansion of immune effectors and Th1 responses patients with HIV-associated malignancies (219,220) EBV LPD. In Kenya, endemic BL associated with EBV and Plasmodium falciparum co-infection is one of the most common pediatric cancer (190,191). In Uganda BL accounts for 90% of NHL children cases in the country (192).…”

“…African populations are at risk of co-infections with EBV and other pathogens, and co-infections are seen in cases of EBV LPD. In Kenya, endemic BL associated with EBV and Plasmodium falciparum co-infection is one of the most common pediatric cancer ( 190 , 191 ). In Uganda BL accounts for 90% of NHL children cases in the country ( 192 ).…”