Published online 7 July 2009
Haematologica, Vol 94, Issue 11, 1581-1589 doi:10.3324/haematol.2009.008979
Copyright © 2009 by Ferrata Storti Foundation
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Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Genetic and immune-related factors in the pathogenesis of lymphoproliferative and plasma cell malignancies

Sigurdur Y. Kristinsson1, Lynn R. Goldin2, Magnus Björkholm1, Jill Koshiol2, Ingemar Turesson3, Ola Landgren4

1 Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
2 Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
3 Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
4 Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Correspondence: Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 10/Room 13N240F, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA. E-mail:landgreo{at}mail.nih.gov

There are data to support a role for genetic and immune-related factors in the pathogenesis of lymphomas and plasma cell diseases. In this paper, we review our published large population-based studies and other relevant studies in Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and the precursor condition monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. We discuss the overlap in risk factors between related malignancies and explore the underlying mechanisms. Based on these studies, we provide clinical implications and discuss the relevance of these data for patient counseling and clinical follow-up. Finally, we suggest future directions for new studies designed to increase our current knowledge and to define underlying biological mechanisms of our findings.

Key words: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, lymphoma, MGUS, multiple myeloma, familial aggregation, susceptibility, immune-related, autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis.