The Epidemiology of Burkitt Lymphoma in East-African Children and Minors (EMBLEM)

EMBLEM is a case control study of childhood Burkitt lymphoma (BL) designed to investigate risk factors of BL in malaria-endemic areas of Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.

EMBLEM was designed to enroll representative cases and controls (0-15 years) from defined geographical areas and use questionnaire, serological, and genetic methods to study BL.

EMBLEM collected detailed demographical and geographical information on cases and controls suitable for descriptive and spatial analysis of risk factors of BL.

Although identified as co-factors of BL more than 50 years ago, the malaria phenotypes and EBV variants associated with BL are not known. EMBLEM seeks to answer these questions to pave the way for interventions.

The use of genetic studies promises to unlock the biology of disease and point to therapeutic targets. EMBLEM is applying genomic methods to define BL subtypes, discover risk factors, and identify biomarkers.

EMBLEM has generated not only unique biological samples suitable for study of BL, but also unique field experience that would benefit investigators wanting to work in rural Africa. This work can be greatly enhanced by collaboration.