Possible involvement of the IL4 gene in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

We report the results of a molecular investigation of 11 patients affected by Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a rare B-cell malignancy characterized by an excessive proliferation of immunoglobulin (Ig)M-secreting plasmacytoid cells. In particular, we studied the interleukin-4 (IL4) gene, which codes for a B-specific growth factor capable of stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of secreting plasma cells. By Southern hybridization, in three patients we found the presence of additional bands in comparison with the expected pattern; moreover, these bands showed a different degree of intensity.