Nadir B cell counts are significantly correlated with the risk of Kaposi's sarcoma

• Published in: International journal of cancer 2004-01, Vol.108 (3), p.473-474
• Main Authors: Stebbing, Justin, Gazzard, Brian, Newsom‐Davis, Tom, Nelson, Mark, Patterson, Steve, Gotch, Frances, Mandalia, Sundhiya, Bower, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - complications; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - immunology; B cells; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Dermatology; Humans; humoral immunity; Kaposi's sarcoma; Medical sciences; Sarcoma, Kaposi - etiology; Sarcoma, Kaposi - immunology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
• ISSN: 0020-7136; 1097-0215
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.11601

Infection with HIV‐1 is known to impair B cell function. To further elucidate the role of B cells during infection and tumorigenesis, we studied their numbers in cases of AIDS‐related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) during the HAART era. Patients with AIDS‐related KS were identified from a database of 4,480 HIV‐1 positive individuals and the incidence of KS and rate ratio was stratified according to nadir number of B cells, measured as the CD19 count. In an unadjusted model, we observed that lower B cell counts were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of KS development (p < 0.001). We also observed a trend toward increased counts during KS resolution. When adjusted for nadir CD4 count in a multi‐variable model, higher B cell counts were protective against KS development (p = 0.015). These data highlight a potential role for B cells and therefore the humoral immune system in KS aetiopathogenesis. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.