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Review
. 2021 Apr 29:11:675353.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.675353. eCollection 2021.

Clinical and Molecular Properties of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Pedro S de Carvalho  1 , Fabio E Leal  1 , Marcelo A Soares  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Clinical and Molecular Properties of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Pedro S de Carvalho et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common malignancy affecting people living with HIV (PLWH). Among its several subtypes, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an important manifestation within the HIV-infected compartment of the population. Since HIV is able to modulate B cells and promote lymphomagenesis through direct and indirect mechanisms, HIV-related DLBCL has specific characteristics. In this review, we address the clinical and molecular properties of DLBCL disease in the context of HIV infection, as well as the mechanisms by which HIV is able to modulate B lymphocytes and induce their transformation into lymphoma.

Keywords: ABC; DLBCL; GCB; HIV; NHL; PLWH.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distinctive characteristics of DLBCL subtypes. (A) Germinal center B-like (GCB) subtype was originally characterized by a gene expression pattern that resembled the germinal center (GC) phenotype. GCB cases are associated with better prognosis, as well as molecular properties, such as increased frequency of BCL2 translocations and EZH2 mutations. (B) Activated B-like (ABC) subtype was described with a gene expression pattern associated with the post-GC phenotype. ABC subjects show worse prognosis and specific molecular properties, such as higher frequency of BCL6 translocations and alterations involving the NF-kB pathway.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Highlights of HIV-induced B lymphocyte alterations. HIV particle (green) is able to bind B lymphocyte (blue) through direct interactions with surface immunoglobulins (B-cell receptor, BCR) and through CD21 interactions mediated by complement proteins. Spontaneous immunoglobulin secretion leading to hyperglobulinemia is observed in the context of HIV infection, as well as alterations in surface markers, such as increased expression of CD80, CD86, CD38 and CD95.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Clinical properties of HIV-DLBCL. HIV-related DLBCL (blue) is commonly associated with particular clinical features when compared to immunocompetent DLBCL (yellow), such as early age at diagnosis, later clinical staging, higher frequency of B-symptoms and worse overall survival estimates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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