Delving deeper into the pathogenesis and genomics of posttransplant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are a well-known complication of solid organ transplantation and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtype (PT-DLBCL) is the most frequent monomorphic PTLD and is associated with poor prognosis. Transplant recipients have an increased risk of abnormal proliferation of lymphoid cells because of diminished immune surveillance. In about 60% of the cases, Epstein-Barr virus infection seems to contribute to the cancer phenotype. Although clinical and research interest in the disorder has increased during the last two decades, the pathology of the disease remains largely elusive. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of PT-DLBCL pathogenesis, and we discuss how a better understanding of PT-DLBCL can lead to improved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.