Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, aplastic anemia, and various malignancies in a family: possible role of Epstein-Barr virus.
We report on a family ascertained because of sibs affected with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Other relatives had aplastic anemia or other malignancies and most were born of consanguineous parents. Epstein-Barr virus has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It has also been suggested as a cause of aplastic anemia and other neoplasms. We postulate that this extensive German-Mennonite family has a heritable defect in the immune response to Epstein-Barr virus making its members at excessive risk for a number of different malignancies. This immunologic predisposition may be HLA associated and appears to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
D000293:Adolescent; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003241:Consanguinity; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree