title: The spectrum of MALT lymphoma at different sites: biological and therapeutic relevance.
abstract: Extranodal marginal zone (MZ) B-cell lymphomas of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) arise from lymphoid populations that are induced by chronic inflammation in extranodal sites. The best evidence of an etiopathogenetic link is provided by the association between Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis and gastric MALT lymphoma. Indeed, successful eradication of this microorganism with antibiotics can be followed by gastric MALT lymphoma regression in most cases. Other microbial agents have been implicated in the pathogenesis of MZ lymphoma arising at different sites. Apart from gastric MALT lymphoma, antibiotic therapies have been adequately tested only in ocular adnexal MALT lymphomas where upfront doxycycline may be a reasonable and effective initial treatment of patients with Chlamydophila psittaci-positive lymphoma before considering more aggressive strategies. In all other instances, antibiotic treatment of nongastric lymphomas remains investigational. Indeed, there is no clear consensus for the treatment of patients with gastric MALT lymphoma requiring further treatment beyond H pylori eradication or with extensive disease. Both radiotherapy and systemic treatments with chemotherapy and anti-CD20 antibodies are efficacious and thus the experience of individual centers and each patient's preferences in terms of adverse effects are important parameters in the decision process.
authors.affiliation: Lymphoma Unit/Division of Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland; and.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zucca
authors.affiliation: Lymphoma Unit/Division of Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland; and Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5637-8983
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertoni
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007161:Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009154:Mutation; D009928:Organ Specificity; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors