title: KIR genotype distribution among Lebanese patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In addition to their important role in fighting infection, natural killer cells are cytotoxic to cancer cells. Studies demonstrated that some KIR genes were responsible for the reduction of the risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) while others were associated with an increased risk of HL.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to assess KIR genotypic distribution in Lebanese patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  KIR genotype was analyzed in 41 HL patients and 120 healthy Lebanese individuals using the KIR Genotyping SSP kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant association between HL and any KIR gene was found. Among HL patients, the AA, AB, and BB genotype frequencies were, respectively, 41.46%, 43.9% and 14.63% with an A:B ratio of 1.73:1. As for the controls, the AA, AB, and BB genotype frequencies were, respectively, 39.17%, 50%, and 10.83% with an A:B ratio of 1.79:1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this first study from the Mediterranean region, KIR genotype does not seem to be associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Further clinical and translational research is needed to rule out the protective or predisposing role of KIR genes in this important clinical entity.
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
authors: Rouba
authors: R
authors: Hoteit
authors: Department of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Abboud
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Bazarbachi
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
authors: Ziad
authors: Z
authors: Salem
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
authors: Dina
authors: D
authors: Shammaa
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
authors: Ghazi
authors: G
authors: Zaatari
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
authors: Rami
authors: R
authors: Mahfouz
keywords: DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid; Genotype; HL, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; HLA, Human Leukocyte Antigens; Hodgkin's; IRB, Institutional Review Board; KIR; KIR, Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors; LPHL, Lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma; LRC, leukocyte Receptor Complex; Lebanon; Lymphoma; MHC, Major Histocompatibility Complex; NK, Natural killer; PCR, Polymerase Chain Reaction; SSP, Sequence Specific Primers; UV, Ultraviolet