Plasma Epstein–Barr virus and Hepatitis B virus in non-Hodgkin lymphomas: Two lymphotropic, potentially oncogenic, latently occurring DNA viruses

Abstract

Context:There is a need to study potential infective etiologies in lymphomas. Lymphocyte-transforming viruses can directly infect lymphocytes, disrupt normal cell functions, and promote cell division. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is known to be associated with several lymphomas, especially Hodgkin lymphomas (HLs). And recently, the lymphocyte-transforming role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been emphasized.Aims:The aim of this study was to elucidate the association of two potentially oncogenic, widely prevalent latent DNA viruses, EBV and HBV, in non-HL (NHL).Settings and Design:In this prospective study, we estimated plasma EBV and HBV DNA in NHL patients.Materials and Methods:Peripheral blood was obtained from newly diagnosed, treatment na ïve, histologically confirmed NHL patients. Plasma EBV DNA was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting Epstein–Barr Nucleic acid 1 while the plasma HBV DNA was detected using nested PCR targeting HBX gene. In a small subset of patients, follow-up plasma samples post-anticancer chemotherapy were available and retested for viral DNA.Results:Of the 110 NHL patients, ~79% were B-cell NHL and ~21% were T-cell NHL. Plasma EBV-DNA was detected in 10% NHLs with a higher EBV association in Burkitt lymphoma (33.3%) than other subtypes. Pretherapy HBV DNA was detected in 21% NHLs; most of them being diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Moreover, 42% of DLBCL patients had HBV DNA in plasma. Since all patients were HBV surface antigen seronegative at diagnosis, baseline plasma HBV-DNAemia before chemotherapy was indicative of occult hepatitis B infection.Conclusions:Our findings indicate a significant association of HBV with newly diagnosed DLBCL.

Impact of Hepatitis B Virus Genetic Variation, Integration, and Lymphotropism in Antiviral Treatment and Oncogenesis

“…The presence of HBV within the lymphoid cells may also contribute towards the development of hematological neoplasms. Indeed, a number of epidemiological studies have reported associations of CHB with higher risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, specifically diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) [ 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 ]. Although, the mechanisms underlying this clinical association have yet to be elucidated, the direct oncogenic effects of HBV within lymphoid cells may induce malignant transformation.…”

Frequency of OBI among Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis

“…The transmission of OBI possibly leads to an increased risk of the disease progression (Candotti et al, 2017) It is well-known that anti-HBc alone is a predictive signal of potential OBI (Roman, 2018). OBI has been associated with extrahepatic manifestations including rheumatoid arthritis, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, membranous glomerulonephritis hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and autoimmune hepatitis (Sinha et al, 2016;Xiong et al, 2015;Muto et al, 2018).…”

Hepatitis B and C virus infection and risk of haematological malignancies

“…OBI was observed in about 10% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and 6% of those with B‐cell lymphoma . Sinha et al reported detection of HBV DNA positivity in 21% of 110 HBsAg negative NHL patients, 79% of them with B‑cell NHL . Laurenti et al found an 8.6% prevalence of OBI in a population of 387 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.…”