B-cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders - Susan L. Slager

Genetic Epidemiology of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (GEN) Consortium

Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is the 5th most frequently diagnosed cancer among both men and women in the United States. Although NHL is known to be influenced by immunosuppression and viral infections agents (established risk factors), the majority of NHL etiology cannot be explained. There is significant evidence that a genetic component exists, and that this genetic component extends across all NHL subtypes. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the genetic basis of NHL through the use of high-risk NHL families. In order to achieve this aim, we pooled our resources across six institutions to form a multi-center, multidisciplinary consortium, Genetic Epidemiology of NHL (GEN) Consortium. This consortium is funded by the National Cancer Institute and includes investigators from Mayo Clinic, M.D. Anderson, National Cancer Institute, City of Hope, University of Iowa, and University of Utah. This family-based research resource allows us to develop a study population enriched for genetic exposures and will position us to characterize the genetic risk of NHL.

An eligible NHL family has at least the following two characteristics:

• A living patient with a diagnosis of NHL
• A living blood relative, also diagnosed with NHL

Patients who consent to participate will be asked to:

• Fill out a questionnaire detailing their family history of cancer
• Fill out a questionnaire regarding their lifestyle, personal medical history, and demographics
• Donate blood and/or buccal cell specimens. This can be done during a visit to a participating institution or via a mailed kit to be taken to a patient’s local physician. Our program will pay for any charges associated with a blood draw.

To participate, patients may contact

• Mayo Clinic
  Study Coordinator:
  Konnie Bicknese
• Toll-Free: 1-800-610-7093
• Email: bicknese.konnie@mayo.edu

Patients do not need to actually visit Mayo Clinic to participate. Further, our program will pay for any costs resulting from participation in the study.

To learn more please visit Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials