Researchers at the University of Glasgow are investigating how one of the most common human viruses may affect the development of the blood cancer Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research has awarded Ruth Jarrett, Professor of Molecular Pathology at the University's Vet School, over £185,000 to carry out the research.

Over 1,300 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma each year in the UK, including 150 children under the age of 14. Research has already shown that a common virus called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with cases of the lymphoma, particularly in children and in older adults.

Professor Jarrett and her team will investigate the role certain genes play in our immune system's response to the virus and why some individuals go on to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma as a result.

Professor Jarrett said: "Most healthy adults are persistently infected with the Epstein-Barr virus and yet very few get EBV-associated Hodgkin's lymphoma. The risk of developing lymphoma after becoming infected with the virus is thought to be dependent on a group of genes called HLA genes. HLA genes control the body's immune response to EBV. We all have different combinations of these genes and we suspect that this gives us a more or less efficient response to the virus."

Professor Jarrett will explore this theory to determine exactly how these genes determine the risk of developing the blood cancer.

She explained: "In order to develop strategies to treat and prevent Hodgkin's lymphoma, we need to fully understand why some people are more likely to get this disease. We will be studying both patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and also healthy adults to see how the number of EBV-infected cells in their bloodstream varies according to different HLA genes in their DNA."

The new three-year study is designed to have direct benefits for patients, as Professor Jarrett explained: "This project will give doctors a better idea of how to prevent EBV-associated Hodgkin’s lymphoma and may lead to improved targeted therapy for this disease. The research will also help to determine whether EBV vaccination will reduce the risk of EBV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma."

Dr David Grant, Scientific Director at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, said: "The Glasgow team have a record of world-class research in the field of Hodgkin's lymphoma. We have high hopes that this new project will lead to improved treatments in particular for young patients whose lives are severely disrupted by this blood cancer."

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research currently has invested £2,400,000 in 10 blood cancer research projects in Glasgow.

The charity was previously known as Leukaemia Research. Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2010, has changed its name to raise awareness of its longstanding commitment to research into all the blood cancers, including lymphoma and myeloma - not just leukaemia.

It is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. These cancers are diagnosed in around 28,500 children, teenagers and adults in the UK every year.

For more media information please contact Eleanor Cowie, Media Relations Officer at the University of Glasgow, on 0141 330 3683 or e.cowie@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 5 February 2010

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