Is valganciclovir really effective in primary effusion lymphoma: case report of an HIV ( − ) EBV ( − ) HHV 8(+) patient

Primary effusion lymphoma ( PEL ) is a human herpesvirus 8 ( HHV 8) associated lymphoproliferative disease characterized by effusions in body cavities, and lack of tumor mass. Valganciclovir is a treatment option in PEL , however, little is known about its clinical efficacy. Ganciclovir has been reported to be effective in HHV 8(+) multicentric Castleman's disease ( MCD ) by decreasing the plasma HHV 8 load, which is an important factor in the induction and persistence of MCD , Kaposi's sarcoma ( KS ), and PEL . But there is no information about the efficacy of valganciclovir on HHV 8 associated lymphoproliferative diseases. Here, we present the first EBV and HIV negative, HHV 8 positive PEL case treated with valganciclovir; for whom it initially reduced the viral load leading to a transient partial improvement in the clinical status, but failed to induce a complete and durable remission.