Implication of the Epstein-Barr virus in the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma to Hodgkin-like lymphomas

Anticancer Res. 1997 Sep-Oct;17(5B):3907-13.

Abstract

Low grade CLL/SLL can evolve to a spectrum of various morphologic higher grade malignancies showing Reed-Sternberg like cells. The evolution towards Hodgkin's disease is rare but frequently associated with the presence of scattered RSL cells within the small lymphocyte proliferation of the CLL/SLL. The evolution towards a Richter's syndrome is more frequent and it can exhibit CD30 positive Reed-Sternberg like cells. In these Richter's syndrome cases, regarding the morphology and the phenotype, it seems likely that there is a spectrum of lesions between true HD and large cell NHL. In the present study, the authors report two cases of transformation of CLL/SLL in non immuno-suppressed patients; one evolved to a morphological and immunohistochemical Hodgkin's disease and the second to a NHL (Richter's syndrome) with numerous Reed-Sternberg like cells. In both cases, EBV has been detected within RSL cells by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization (ISH). So, the role of EBV is suggested in that kind of transformation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Cell Transformation, Viral*
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human*
  • Hodgkin Disease / immunology
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / virology
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / immunology
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reed-Sternberg Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Neoplasm