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

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Our Recent Publication: Genetic signatures of gene flow and malaria-driven natural selection in sub-Saharan populations of the "endemic Burkitt Lymphoma belt".

The Epidemiology of Burkitt lymphoma in East African children and minors (EMBLEM) is a research study sponsored by the Intramural Research program of the National Cancer Institute under Protocol #: 10-C-N133 during 2010-2016 to comprehensively investigate infections, immunological, and genetic risk factors of Burkitt lymphoma (BL).

See more details on our Study Summary page.
Several smiling doctors surrounding a recovering young boy witha insert photo of when he was a small child and was sick.
Study Summary

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.
Flowchart of the Study procedures workflow.
Study Design

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 investigators working in the field, next to a home with a person standing outside the entrance.
Epidemiological Studies

EMBLEM collected detailed demographical and geographical information on cases and controls suitable for descriptive and spatial analysis of risk factors of BL.
Map showing holoendemic malaria exposure accompanied with a picture of a mosquite targeting people.
Malaria & EBV Studies

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.
Genetic Helix
Genetic Studies

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.
Young boy sitting in a hospital bed.
Collaborate with Us

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.