A genetic study of Hodgkin's lymphoma: an estimate of heritability and anticipation based on the familial cancer database in Sweden

Hum Genet. 2000 May;106(5):553-6. doi: 10.1007/s004390000291.

Abstract

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a heterogeneous hemopoietic malignancy. Previous studies have implicated a genetic etiology responsible for familial HL. We have estimated the heritability of HL and tested the hypothesis of genetic anticipation by using a high quality cancer database of the Swedish population. Heritability was estimated by employing a threshold-liability model. To test the hypothesis of anticipation, the usual T-test procedure was used to test whether there was a difference in cancer age-of-onset between parents and children who were affected with HL. A randomization test was carried out to test the validity of the P-values. Additional analyses were performed after stratifying the data based on birth cohorts. This data set revealed that there was a difference between the age-of-onset of parents and of offspring who were affected with HL. We also estimated the heritability of HL in the Swedish population to be approximately 28.4%. Both findings provide further evidence for a genetic basis for HL.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Anticipation, Genetic*
  • Biometry
  • Cohort Studies
  • Databases, Factual
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / epidemiology
  • Hodgkin Disease / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Genetic
  • Sweden / epidemiology