Immunoglobulin E Levels and Risk of Lymphoma in a Case-Control Study in Spain

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies have shown an inverse association between atopy and malignant lymphoma, but results are inconsistent. We investigated levels of IgE, before and after commencement of treatment, and evaluated lymphoma risk in relation to total and specific IgE levels. Serum levels of IgM, IgA, and IgG were also measured. We enrolled 467 newly diagnosed lymphoma cases and 544 hospital controls, matched for age, sex, and hospital. Lymphomas were histologically confirmed and categorized according to the WHO classification. Subjects provided blood for analysis of total and specific IgE levels, and total IgM, IgA, and IgG levels. Additional information was collected by intervieweradministered questionnaire. Controlling for age, sex, center, smoking status, and any treated asthma or eczema, we found that the overall risk of lymphoma was significantly lower in the high [odds ratio (OR), 0.39; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.28-0.54] and middle (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.40-0.74) tertiles for total serum IgE compared with the low tertile. Specific IgE to common aeroallergens (defined as z0.35 kU/L) was also inversely associated with risk of lymphoma (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.45-1.00). Lymphoma was associated with IgA and IgM but not IgG. Mean levels of all immunoglobulins were decreased with more advanced malignancy, and total serum IgE levels were lower before treatment. The data suggest that the low levels of immunoglobulins seen in a wide range of lymphoma cases is likely to be linked to a lymphogenesis process rather than resulting from a selective protection due to an atopic process. Long-term cohort studies may be fundamental to fully evaluate these associations. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(7):1492 -8)

Immunoglobulin E and cancer: a meta-analysis and a large Swedish cohort study

“…Moreover, high levels of IgE and atopy do not always correlate with clinically recognized allergies, placing qualifications of any equivalence of IgE and recounted history of allergy. To better define the association between atopy and cancer, some recent studies have analyzed the association between IgE levels and cancer diagnosis [24][25][26][27][28][29][30], although all such studies were also case-control studies in which the validity is much dependent on the method of selection controls [8,27]. As a consequence of the case-control design, all IgE measurements were taken after tumor diagnosis and only two studies reported IgE measurements taken before treatment initiation [26,30].…”

“…Five of seven studies used random controls selected via, for instance, random digit dialing (n = 2) or from general health surveys [24][25][26][27][28]. Two studies used hospital-based controls seen in the hospital for a diagnosis distinct from the cancer outcome of interest [29,30]. The methods used to measure IgE are described in Table 1.…”

Serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases in Erbil, Kurdistan region, Iraq

“…31 The alterations of cellular and/or humoral immunity in NHL patients are not uncommon. 32 This study shows that there was a decrease in serum levels of both IgM and IgA in patients with NHL while the level of IgG was increased but did not reach a significant level. In agreement with this study, two reports showed that IgM and IgA were also decreased in patients with NHL.…”

“…In agreement with this study, two reports showed that IgM and IgA were also decreased in patients with NHL. 32,33 IgG levels were not decreased in one study, 32 but in contrast, it was decreased in other studies, 33 while a study 34 showed no increase in IgG levels, and lower IgG levels in NHL patients was observed. 33,34 Levels of all immunoglobulin class were decreased in NHL patients.…”

“…44 Elevated IgG has been reported by other author. 32,33 Normally plasma cells constitute 1% in the bone marrow but as the disease advances, tumor load in bone marrow increases up to 80 % depending on severity. These malignant plasma cells synthesize monoclonal antibody and release it to the circulation.…”