[Primary cavity-based lymphoma and HIV infection]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Primary cavity-based lymphomas (PCBL) are rare non-Hodgkin lymphomas associated with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• PCBL typically presents as malignant effusions without initial bone marrow or lymph node involvement.
• Tumoral cells in PCBL are monoclonal and can be infected with human herpesvirus type-8 (HHV-8).

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical and evolutive characteristics of HIV-positive patients with PCBL.
• To investigate the presence of HHV-8 in lymphocytes and effusions of PCBL patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of six HIV-positive patients diagnosed with PCBL.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) used to detect HHV-8 DNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphomatous effusions in three patients.

Main Results:

• Patients presented with pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, or ascites; two had concurrent Kaposi sarcoma (KS).
• HHV-8 DNA was detected in lymphocytes from effusions and peripheral blood in all investigated cases.
• Mean survival was 89 days, with poor response to chemotherapy and a fatal outcome in most patients.

Conclusions:

• HIV-related PCBL, with or without KS, occurs in severely immunocompromised individuals.
• These lymphomas exhibit aggressive behavior and a rapid, fatal clinical course.
• HHV-8 is implicated as a causative agent in HIV-related PCBL.