NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA AND BURKITTS-LYMPHOMA IN A CANADIAN FAMILY .1. HLA TYPING, EBV ANTIBODIES AND SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 115  (9) , 858-860
Abstract
Two nasopharyngeal carcinomas of the lymphoepithelioma type and 2 Burkitt''s lymphomas with the characteristic histopathologic features developed in 3 siblings and 1 first-degree cousin in a large French-Canadian family. Epstein-Barr virus antibody titers in the 2 lymphoepithelioma cases but not in the Burkitt''s lymphoma cases were, as expected, greatly elevated. HL-A typing of the family members failed to disclose HL-A antigens A2 and B Sin-2, which are associated with lymphoepithelioma in Asia. The occurrence of a plasmacytoma in 1 other 1st-degree cousin and low serum IgA [immunoglobulin A] values in several siblings and cousins suggests the possibility of a genetically determined predisposing B[bone marrow derived]-cell dysfunction in the development of these tumors.