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Hepatitis C virus and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas
C Mazzaro1, V Zagonel, S Monfardini
1First Division of Medicine, Pordenone General Hospital, Italy.
British Journal of Haematology
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is significantly more common in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), especially low-grade types. This suggests HCV plays a key role in the development of these lymphomas and is linked to cryoglobulins.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is linked to mixed cryoglobulinemia, a condition that can progress to aggressive hematologic disorders.
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) represent a group of cancers originating in lymphocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of HCV infection in patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
- To explore the association between HCV infection, NHL subtypes, and cryoglobulin levels.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 199 NHL patients from Northeast Italy.
- Control groups included 153 patients with other hematologic malignancies and 6917 individuals from the general population.
- HCV infection was detected using antibody tests and PCR; HCV genotype and cryoglobulin presence were also assessed.
Main Results:
- HCV infection prevalence was significantly higher in NHL patients (28.0%) compared to the general population (2.9%) and other cancer patients (3.1%).
- Prevalence was notably elevated in low-grade lymphomas (38.4%) versus intermediate (11.4%) or high-grade (15.2%) types.
- HCV infection showed a strong association with the presence of cryoglobulins (P < 0.000001).
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C virus infection is significantly associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, particularly low-grade subtypes.
- The findings indicate a crucial role for HCV in the pathogenesis of these lymphomas.
- HCV appears to be an important factor in the development of NHL and is linked to cryoglobulinemia.