Biologic aspects of human immunodeficiency virus-related lymphoma

A high frequency of lymphoma in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals has been reported since the outbreak of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in 1982. In the vast majority of cases, these lymphomas are highly aggressive B-cell, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of intermediate or high grade of malignancy. AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are histologically classified as small noncleaved cell lymphoma, large cell immunoblastic plasmacytoid lymphoma, or large noncleaved cell lymphoma. Host factors predisposing to lymphoma development in AIDS patients include decreased immunosurveillance as well as human immunodeficiency virus-induced chronic perturbation of the immune system leading to cytokine overproduction and increased B-cell stimulation. These alterations are associated with the development of multiple oligoclonal B-cell expansions, which are characterized by persistent generalized lymphadenopathy. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus within a persistent generalized lymphadenopathy clone further increases the risk of its neoplastic transformation. The appearance of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is characterized by the presence of a monoclonal B-cell population displaying several genetic lesions, including monoclonal Epstein-Barr virus infection, c-myc rearrangements, Ras mutations, and p53 inactivation. The number and type of lesions varies among the different types of AIDS-non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, defining multiple alternative molecular pathways in AIDS-associated lymphomagenesis.