Authors: Patel, M.¹; Wadee, A.A.²; Galpin, J.³; Gavalakis, C.⁴; Fourie, A.M.²; Kuschke, R.H.²; Philip, V.¹

Source: Clinical & Laboratory Haematology, Volume 24, Number 4, August 2002 , pp. 215-219(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Summary

While the exact aetiology of myeloma is unknown, genetic factors feature among the potential risk factors. The HLA phenotypes in African blacks with myeloma (the commonest haematopoietic malignancy in this group) have not been characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the HLA class I and class II phenotypes of patients with multiple myeloma and to compare the findings to an ethnically matched control group of 100 individuals. Analysis of the HLA class I and class II phenotypes in 62 myeloma patients revealed: (i) a corresponding statistically significant association with HLA B18 [odds ratio (OR) 6.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.013-39.727; P < 0.005]; (ii) no statistically significant association with HLA B13, Cw2, Cw6 or the DR and DQ antigens; and (iii) a statistically significant negative (protective) association with HLA Cw7 (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.21-0.87; P < 0.005). This study suggests that although genetic factors may play a role in the multifactorial aetiology of multiple myeloma, with the exception of HLA B18, there is no specific association between HLA types and multiple myeloma in South African blacks.

Keywords: Aetiology; blacks; genetic factors; HLA associations; multiple myeloma; South Africa

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2257.2002.00448.x

Affiliations: 1: Haematology Unit, Department of Medicine, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Departments of 2: Immunology and 3: Department of Actuarial Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 4: Haematology, South African Institute for Medical Research and the

Publication date: 2002-08-01

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