Antibody response to adenovirus Elb‐derived synthetic peptides and serum levels of p53 in patients with gastrointestinal and other malignant lymphomas

Serum levels of p53 and antipeptide antibody levels to adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) E1b protein were measured in a case‐control study of 62 newly diagnosed patients with malignant lym‐phoma. While patients with gastrointestinal lym‐phoma did not differ from their matched controls, p53 positive lymphoma patients had significantly ( P < 0.04) increased antipeptide IgG antibody levels to the Ad12 E1b. Concomitant detection of serum p53 and antipeptide antibodies to Ad 12 E1b was associated with an increased risk (OR = 17.0, 95% confidence limits 1.5, 58.5) of malignant lymphoma suggesting synergism between expression of Ad12 Elb and accumulation of p53 in patients with malignant lymphoma. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.