title: The biology and treatment of plasmablastic lymphoma.
abstract: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive lymphoma commonly associated with HIV infection. However, PBL can also be seen in patients with other immunodeficiencies as well as in immunocompetent individuals. Because of its distinct clinical and pathological features, such as lack of expression of CD20, plasmablastic morphology, and clinical course characterized by early relapses and subsequent chemotherapy resistance, PBL can represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for pathologists and clinicians alike. Despite the recent advances in the therapy of HIV-associated and aggressive lymphomas, patients with PBL for the most part have poor outcomes. The objectives of this review are to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiology, biology, clinical and pathological characteristics, differential diagnosis, therapy, prognostic factors, outcomes, and potential novel therapeutic approaches in patients with PBL and also to increase the awareness toward PBL in the medical community.
authors: Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA;
authors: Jorge J
authors: JJ
authors: Castillo
authors: Department of Clinical Research, Hematology, Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy; and.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Bibas
authors: Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
authors: Roberto N
authors: RN
authors: Miranda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents