Open AccessEpstein‐Barr Virus–Positive Diffuse Large B‐Cell Lymphoma of the Elderly: What We Know So Far
Author(s) -
Castillo Jorge J.,
Beltran Brady E.,
Miranda Roberto N.,
Paydas Semra,
Winer Eric S.,
Butera James N.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0213
Subject(s) - diffuse large b cell lymphoma , medicine , lymphoma , epstein–barr virus , haematopoiesis , virus , lymphoproliferative disorders , epstein–barr virus infection , immunology , cancer research , stem cell , biology , genetics
Epstein‐Barr virus–positive (EBV‐positive) diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the elderly is a newly described lymphoproliferative disorder recently included as a “provisional” entity in the most current WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. The objective of this review is to provide a thorough and current summary of the existing knowledge of this subtype of DLBCL. We will review and discuss the incidence of EBV expression in DLBCL, the pathogenesis behind EBV‐driven malignant transformation of B cells, the different EBV latency patterns associated with DLBCL, the distinct pathologic characteristics of EBV‐positive DLBCL, the potential predictive and prognostic value of EBV tumoral status in patients with DLBCL, and potential strategies for the treatment of this rare entity, which is characterized by a suboptimal response to therapy and poor survival rate.