Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma: epidemiology and pathogenesis.

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Authors: Katsuyuki Aozasa ; Tetsuya Takakuwa ; Tadashi Hongyo ; Woo-Ick Yang

MeSH: Asia/epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications ; Genes, p53/genetics ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/pathology* ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology ; Latin America/epidemiology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell*/epidemiology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell*/genetics ; Lymphoma, T-Cell*/virology ; Nose Neoplasms*/epidemiology ; Nose Neoplasms*/genetics ; Nose Neoplasms*/virology ; Pesticide Residues/adverse effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics

Keywords: Nasal lymphoma ; NK/T-cell type ; Epstein–Barr virus ; p53 gene ; c-KIT gene ; Pesticide ; Epidemiology

Abstract: Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is an uncommon disease, but usually shows a highly aggressive clinical course. The disease is much more frequent in Asian and Latin American countries than in Western countries, and is universally associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Analyses of gene mutations, especially p53 and c-KIT, revealed the different frequencies by district. Epidemiological studies revealed the changes of the disease frequency in Korea during the period from 1977-1989 to 1990-1996. Case-control study showed that the exposure to pesticides and chemical solvents could be causative of NKTCL. Further studies including HLA antigen typing of patients is necessary to further clarify the disease mechanism.