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Is valganciclovir really effective in primary effusion lymphoma: case report of an HIV ( − ) EBV ( − ) HHV 8(+) patient
Author(s) -
Ozbalak Murat,
Tokatlı Ilyas,
Özdemirli Metin,
Tecimer Tülay,
Ar Muhlis Cem,
Örnek Serdar,
Koroglu Aykut,
Laleli Yahya,
Ferhanoglu Burhan
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/ejh.12174
Subject(s) - primary effusion lymphoma , valganciclovir , medicine , ganciclovir , lymphoma , gastroenterology , immunology , virus , human cytomegalovirus
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.