Preliminary evidence of an association of tumour necrosis factor microsatellites with increased risk of multiple basal cell carcinomas

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) appears important in ultraviolet-i nduced immunosuppression, suggesting that it is a susceptibility candidate for cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC), We now describe data on the assoc iation between TNF microsatellite polymorphisms, first on susceptibility in 202 controls and 133 cases each having two to 30 BCCs, and secondly, withi n the cases, on BCC numbers. The data show that the proportions of individu als with TNF a1- and a7-containing genotypes were significantly different ( P = 0.0271, P = 0.0393, respectively) between cases and controls, Secondly, within the cases, TNF alleles d4 (P = 0.023) and d6 (P = 0.006) alone, and the TNF a2-b4-d5 haplotype (P = 0.007), were significantly associated with the number of BCC lesions, These preliminary data provide the first eviden ce that TNF microsatellite polymorphism may influence the pathogenesis of m ultiple BCC.