Correlation of T-cell immune response with spontaneous resolution and subsequent relapse of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
To our knowledge, there has been no report of spontaneous regression in a non-immunocompromised adult with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in the absence of chemotherapy. We describe spontaneous regression and subsequent relapse of Epstein - Barr virus (EBV)-positive HL in an otherwise healthy male adult. The clinical course was associated with an increase in regulatory T-cell markers within the peripheral blood and diseased lymph node at the time of relapse and with a concomitant reduction in cellular immunity against relevant EBV latent membrane protein tumor-associated antigens. Our findings are in keeping with previous observations that implicate impaired cellular immunity in the immunopathogenesis of EBV-positive HL.
Wilson
W M
WM
Department of Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Dua
U
U
Grigg
A P
AP
Gandhi
M K
MK
D000328:Adult; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*