Genetic variations in CTLA-4, TNF-α, and LTA and susceptibility to T-cell lymphoma in a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE

T-cell lymphoma is a highly aggressive malignant lymphoma that is rare in Caucasians but relatively common in Asian populations. Factors regulating T-cell proliferation and function may play an important role in the pathogenesis of T-cell lymphoma.

METHODS

A total of 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms in cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and lymphotoxin-α (LTA) genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction-ligation detection reaction analysis in a Chinese population of 291 patients with T-cell lymphoma and 300 healthy controls. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of genotypes and haplotypes with T-cell lymphoma risk.

RESULTS

Among these polymorphisms, the LTA +252AA genotype was significantly associated with T-cell lymphoma risk (OR, 2.3; P=0.002). Furthermore, the TNF-α/LTA haplotype C-G-G-A (TNF-α -857C, -308G, and -238G and LTA +252A) showed a significantly increased risk for T-cell lymphoma (OR, 1.6; P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that the LTA +252G>A polymorphism may influence susceptibility to T-cell lymphoma in the Chinese population.