Polymorphic tumor necrosis factors microsatellite TNFa4 is associated with resistance of Hodgkin lymphoma to chemotherapy and with replapses after therapy.
BACKGROUND
The response of tumors to chemotherapy (CHT) exhibits wide individual variations.


METHODS
We examined the incidence of polymorphic TNF genes in 61 patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma.


RESULTS
During treatment, the patients were divided as responders or non-responders, depending upon the amount of CHT required for a clinical eradication of the tumor. The incidence of TNFa4, a microsatellite allele associated with low TNF production in leukocytes, was significantly higher in responders than in non-responders (25.7% vs 0 %, p=0.04). We also examined the incidence of tumor relapses 2-5 years after treatment. The incidence of TNFa4 was also significantly higher in patients with relapses, than in those without relapses (41.1% vs 9.3%, p=0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that TNFa4 is a marker of resistance of Hodgkin lymphoma to chemotherapy and most probably is a marker of bad prognosis.
Libura
Jolanta
J
Center of Oncology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska Memorial Institute, Cracow, Poland.
Bettens
Florence
F
Radkowski
Andrzej
A
Tiercy
Jean-Marie
JM
Piguet
Pierre F
PF
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000235:genetics*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha