title: Biology and treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-associated non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several different types of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Individuals with primary or secondary immunodeficiency are susceptible to developing B cell lymphoproliferation due to outgrowth of EBV-infected B cells that express type III latency characterized by expression of all nine latent-cycle EBV antigens. These cells would normally be susceptible to control by EBV-specific T cells, and strategies to restore EBV-specific immune responses may be effective therapeutically. EBV-associated lymphomas occurring in individuals who do not have a known immunodeficiency include NK and T malignancies with cytotoxic phenotypes, sporadic cases of B-NHL and lymphomatoid granulomatosis. These malignancies respond poorly to standard chemoradiotherapy, and immunotherapeutic or pharmacologic strategies targeting EBV are being explored.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX 77030-2303, USA. hheslop@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Helen E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Heslop
mesh_terms: D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000821:virology; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000633:toxicity; D014180:Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017735:Virus Latency
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate