We analyzed the association of –308G®A tumor necrosis factor a (TNF) and +252A®G lymphotoxin a (LTA) gene polymorphisms with childhood hematological malignancies. The study comprised 105 children with hematological malignancies [86 patients with acute lym­phoblastic leukemia (ALL), 10 with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), nine with Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)] and 141 unrelated healthy individuals. There was no association of the analyzed genes with ALL. We have found an increased frequency of the higher-risk genotypes, TNF and LTA genes, in the AML patient group. Among patients with NHL there was a statistically significant higher frequency of wild type (low risk) genotypes of these genes. We can assume that –308G®A TNF and +252 A®G LTA gene polymorphisms are in association with AML and NHL in children. So, the TNF and LTA genes may play an important role in the development of these forms of hematological malignancies.

Key words: Gene polymorphisms; Hematological malignancies; Tumor necrosis factor a (TNF); Lympho­toxin a (LTA).