GBV-C infection and risk of NHL among U.S. adults

Cancer Res. 2014 Oct 1;74(19):5553-60. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-14-0209. Epub 2014 Aug 12.

Abstract

Some retrospective studies suggest an association between infection with GB virus-C (GBV-C) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We evaluated this association prospectively in a nested case-control study within the U.S. Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Cases (N = 658) and controls (N = 1,316) were individually matched by age, sex, race/ethnicity, timing of study entry, and sample selection. Prediagnostic PLCO serum samples were tested for GBV-C RNA (as a measure of active infection) and E2 antibody (active or resolved infection). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) for the association between GBV-C and NHL overall and NHL subtypes. Twelve cases (1.8%) and seven controls (0.5%) were GBV-C RNA-positive. GBV-C RNA positivity was associated with NHL overall [OR, 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.35-8.71] and, based on small numbers, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (OR, 5.31; 95% CI, 1.54-18.36). The association with NHL persisted when the interval between testing and selection was greater than 4 years (OR, 6.00; 95% CI, 1.21-29.73). In contrast, E2 antibody positivity was not associated with NHL risk (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.74-1.58). Our study demonstrates that GBV-C infection precedes development of NHL. GBV-C infection may play an etiologic role in a small proportion of NHL cases, perhaps by causing chronic immune stimulation or impaired immunosurveillance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Base Sequence
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Primers
  • Female
  • Flaviviridae Infections / complications*
  • GB virus C / genetics
  • GB virus C / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / epidemiology*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • DNA Primers