Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, obesity and energy homeostasis polymorphisms

A population-based case - control study of lymphomas in England collected height and weight details from 699 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cases and 914 controls. Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg m(-2) at five years before diagnosis,, was associated with an increased risk of NHL ( OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 - 2.1). The excess was most pronounced for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma ( OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3 - 2.8). Genetic variants in the leptin (LEP 19G>A, LEP - 2548G>A) and leptin receptor genes (LEPR 223Q>R), previously shown to modulate NHL risk, as well as a polymorphism in the energy regulatory gene adiponectin (APM1 276G>T), were investigated. Findings varied with leptin genotype, the risks being decreased with LEP 19AA ( OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.5 - 1.0) and increased with LEP - 2548GA ( OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 - 1.7) and - 2548AA ( OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.0 - 1.9), particularly for follicular lymphoma. These genetic findings, which were independent of BMI, were stronger for men than women.