KIR genotype distribution among Lebanese patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma

• KIR genotyping has been implicated in a variety of clinical and immunological disorders.
• This is the second international but first Mediterranean paper describing KIR genes prevalence in Hodgkin’'s lymphoma.
• Results were compared to a control sample and confirmed the negative association between KIR genes and Hodgkin’s lymphoma

IntroductionIn addition to their important role in fighting infection, natural killer cells are cytotoxic to cancer cells. Studies demonstrated that some KIR genes were responsible for the reduction of the risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) while others were associated with an increased risk of HL.AimThe aim of this study is to assess KIR genotypic distribution in Lebanese patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.MethodsKIR genotype was analyzed in 41 HL patients and 120 healthy Lebanese individuals using the KIR Genotyping SSP kit.ResultsNo significant association between HL and any KIR gene was found. Among HL patients, the AA, AB, and BB genotype frequencies were, respectively, 41.46%, 43.9% and 14.63% with an A:B ratio of 1.73:1. As for the controls, the AA, AB, and BB genotype frequencies were, respectively, 39.17%, 50%, and 10.83% with an A:B ratio of 1.79:1.ConclusionIn this first study from the Mediterranean region, KIR genotype does not seem to be associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Further clinical and translational research is needed to rule out the protective or predisposing role of KIR genes in this important clinical entity.