Polymorphic tumor necrosis factors microsatellite TNFa4 is associated with resistance of Hodgkin lymphoma to chemotherapy and with replapses after therapy
Libura, J.; Bettens, F.; Radkowski, A.; Tiercy, J-Marie.; Piguet, P.F.
Anticancer Research 22(2a): 921-926
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 12014672 Document Number: 549947
Background: The response of tumors to chemotherapy (CHT) exhibits wide individual variations. Patients and 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). Conclusion: These results indicate that TNFa4 is a marker of resistance of Hodgkin lymphoma to chemotherapy and most probably is a marker of bad prognosis.