Allergy and acute leukaemia in children with Down syndrome: a population study. Report from the Mexican inter-institutional group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukaemia

Abstract

Background:Allergies have been described as protective factors against the development of childhood acute leukaemia (AL). Our objective was to investigate the associations between allergy history and the development of AL and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children with Down syndrome (DS).Methods:A case–control study was performed in Mexico City. The cases (n=97) were diagnosed at nine public hospitals, and the controls (n=222) were recruited at institutions for children with DS. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated.Results:Asthma was positively associated with AL development (OR=4.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.47–11.87), whereas skin allergies were negatively associated (OR=0.42; 95% CI: 0.20–0.91).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that allergies and AL in children with DS share biological and immune mechanisms. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting associations between allergies and AL in children with DS.

Immune-Related Conditions and Acute Leukemia in Children with Down Syndrome: A Children's Oncology Group Report

“…Contrary to results from a similar study of children with DS(20) and with the inverse(17) and positive associations(18, 19) in studies examining allergic conditions and childhood ALL, we found no consistent associations for asthma, eczema, or other allergies.…”

“…(17) A recent case-control study in children with DS reported an increased odds of acute leukemia associated with asthma (OR=4.18, 95% CI: 1.47-11.87), and an inverse association with skin allergies (OR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.20-0.91). (20)…”

Epidemiological associations of allergy, IgE and cancer

“…In agreement with this, a subsequent study also noted inverse associations between maternal‐reported asthma (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.4–1.0), eczema (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6–0.9) and childhood ALL . Most recently a Mexican case–control study was performed in children with Down's syndrome . The 97 cases, diagnosed with acute leukaemia at nine public hospitals, were compared with 222 controls.…”

Allergy and risk of hematologic malignancies: Associations and mechanisms

“…Moreover, Nunez-Enriquez et al conducted a multi institutional population-based case-control study on children with Down syndrome and found that asthma was a risk factor for development of acute leukemia (OR = 4.18 and 95% CI: 1.47-11.87) while, other allergies had no effect or were protective [22].…”