Human immunodeficiency virus negative, immunocompetent primary effusion lymphoma with a complete response on R-miniCHOP

Momin Iqbal ¹, John Vaughn ², Patrick Shin ³

⁰Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, United States.

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November 11, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a rare cancer essential for diagnosing human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), was treated in an elderly patient. An 84-year-old male achieved complete remission with an attenuated R-miniCHOP regimen.

Area Of Science

Hematology
Oncology
Virology

Background

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare extranodal non-Hodgkin large B-cell lymphoma.
PEL develops in body cavities and is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8).

Purpose Of The Study

To diagnose and report a rare case of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) in an elderly patient.
To describe the treatment and outcome of an attenuated chemotherapy regimen for PEL.

Main Methods

Diagnosis was based on flow cytometry, cell block morphology, and immunophenotyping, including HHV8.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was used for staging.
Treatment involved a reduced-dose R-miniCHOP regimen.

Main Results

The patient presented with shortness of breath due to pleural effusion.
Immunophenotyping confirmed PEL, positive for CD45, CD20, and HHV8.
The patient achieved a complete response to the attenuated R-miniCHOP protocol.

Conclusions

This case highlights the successful treatment of PEL in an elderly patient using an attenuated R-miniCHOP regimen.
Complete remission achieved with this protocol in this clinical scenario is, to our knowledge, unprecedented.

Keywords:

Chemotherapy Flow cytometry Human immunodeficiency virus Primary effusion lymphoma