title: Epstein-Barr virus infection and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a possible progression factor?
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus is pathogenically associated with a well defined group of lymphoid and epithelial tumors in which the virus directly drives transformation of infected cells. Recent evidence however indicates that this virus may infect a subpopulation of tumor cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and EBV infection has been also associated with Richter transformation in a fraction of cases. We herein review available data suggesting a possible role of EBV as a direct or micro-environmental progression factor in a subset of CLL.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, CRO - IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Via Franco Gallini 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy. rdolcetti@cro.it.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dolcetti
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carbone