Individuals with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis may also have an increased risk of developing melanoma, according to a study published Sept. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Oncology researchers from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic analyzed data from over 7,334 Mayo Clinic Biobank participants, with 1,098 found to have monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (LC-MBL). The researchers followed up with participants at a median period of 3.2 years to assess melanoma development.
The study was based on previous research that showed individuals with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis have an increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have an increased risk of melanoma.
Compared to individuals without MBL, those with MBL had a 1.86 fold risk of melanoma and individuals with LC-MBL had a 1.92-fold risk of developing melanoma. Individuals with LC-MBL also had a 2.74-fold increased risk of melanoma "in situ," according to the study.
Researchers will now focus on studying potential genetic variants associated with MBL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and melanoma, according to a Sept. 5 news release from Mayo Clinic.