Pathobiological link between CD30 and abnormal lymphocytes in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a T-cell malignancy with poor prognosis caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). ATLL is characterized by the emergence of abnormal lymphocytes, represented by the so called "flower cell". However, the mechanisms by which these cells contribute to tumorigenic processes associated with HTLV-1 infection are not well understood. Recent reports have suggested that CD30, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 8 plays a role in the generation of these abnormal lymphocytes, providing insight into the involvement of CD30 in the tumorigenic process of HTLV-1-infected cells. Since CD30 can be targeted with brentuximab vedotin (BV), an anti-CD30 antibody linked with monomethyl auristatin E, a tubulin toxin, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the functions of CD30 in HTLV-1-infected cells in order to develop effective strategies for treating and preventing ATLL. This review describes the current understanding of how CD30 impacts the development of ATLL in cells infected with HTLV-1, with a specific emphasis on the connection between CD30 and the generation of abnormal lymphocytes.