Multiple myelomas strong link to personal/familial autoimmune disorders not supported

08-11-2006

A strong link between multiple myeloma (MM) and personal/familial autoimmune disorders was not supported.

According to recent research from the United States, "A population-based case-control study was conducted to evaluate risk of developing MM associated with personal history of autoimmune diseases and occurrence of autoimmune and selected hematologic disorders in first-degree relatives. Data were obtained for all (n=8,406) MM cases diagnosed in Sweden (1958-1998), with linkable relatives, 16,543 matched controls and first-degree relatives of cases (n=22,490) and controls (it=44,436)."

"Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to quantify the risk of MM in relation to personal/family history of 32 autoimmune disorders," explained O. Landgren and colleagues, National Cancer Institute. "Familial aggregation of malignancies was evaluated in a marginal survival model using relatives as the cohort.

"The risk for MM was significantly elevated among subjects with a personal history of pernicious anemia (OR=3.27; 2.22-4.83) and individuals with a family history of systemic lupus erythematosus (OR=2.66; 1.12-6.32). Compared with controls, relative risk (RR) of MM was significantly increased (RR=1.67; 1.02-2.73) in relatives of cases, particularly relatives of probands aged {{>=}}65 at diagnosis (RR=2.50; 1.19-5.27).

"Risks were nearly 4-fold elevated among female relatives (RR=3.97; 1.54-10.2) and among relatives of female probands (RR=3.74; 1.58-8.83). MM cases had more cases of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among their relatives than controls, but the numbers were too small to be conclusive. There was generally no increase in risk of MM in probands whose relatives had hematologic malignancies other than MM," discovered the scientists.

The researchers concluded, "These findings do not support a strong association between personal/familial autoimmune diseases and MM. However, MM itself shows significant familial aggregation, implicating the etiologic importance of this type of hematological neoplasm and perhaps MGUS in germ line genes."

Landgren and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Cancer (Familial characteristics of autoimmune and hematologic disorders in 8,406 multiple myeloma patients: A population-based case-control study. Int J Cancer, 2006;118(12):3095-3098).

For additional information, contact O. Landgren, National Cancer Institute, Genetics Epidemiology Branch, Division Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, 6120 Execut Blvd., Bldg EPS Room 7110, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Publisher contact information for the International Journal of Cancer is: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Keywords: Bethesda, Maryland, United States, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorder, Autoimmune Disorders, Epidemiology, Familial Aggregation, Family History, Hematologic Disease, Hematology, Hematopoietic Malignancies, Lupus Erythematosus, Multiple Myeloma, Oncology, Risk Factor, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Disease Association.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.