Prevalence of HCV infection in nongastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT

Ann Oncol. 2007 Feb;18(2):346-50. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdl388. Epub 2006 Oct 27.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently associated with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. We investigated the prevalence of HCV infection in nongastric marginal zone lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in order to define the relationship between the viral infection and the presenting features, treatment, and outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 172 patients with a histological diagnosis of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT, except for stomach, and with available HCV serology, among a series of 208 patients.

Results: HCV infection was documented in 60 patients (35%). Most HCV-positive patients (97%) showed a single MALT organ involvement. HCV-positive patients showed a more frequent involvement of skin (35%), salivary glands (25%), and orbit (15%). The majority of stage IV HCV-positive patients (71%) had a single MALT site with bone marrow involvement. The overall response rate was similar in HCV-positive (93%) and HCV-negative patients (87%). Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) did not differ according to HCV infection. In multivariate analysis, advanced disease (stage III-IV) was associated with a poorer OS (P = 0.0001), irrespective of HCV serostatus.

Conclusions: This study shows that nongastric marginal zone lymphomas are characterized by a high prevalence of HCV infection. Patients with involvement of a single MALT site have the highest prevalence of HCV. HCV-positive nongastric lymphomas of MALT show an indolent course similar to HCV-negative patients and seem an ideal target for exploiting the antilymphoma activity of antiviral treatments.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Female
  • Gastric Mucosa / virology
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis C / pathology
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / pathology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Biomarkers