HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma
Author Department
Medicine
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
8-2020
Abstract
Burkitt lymphoma is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with three classifications: endemic, sporadic, and immunodeficiency-related. High-intensity chemotherapeutic regimens have considerably improved overall survival for patients with Burkitt lymphoma. In this Review of HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma, we summarise expert opinion and provide general recommendations for the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma in patients with HIV on the basis of retrospective and prospective studies, taking into consideration immune status, CD4 cell counts, the presence of systemic disease, and the risk of CNS involvement or relapse. We also discuss the role of rituximab and antiretroviral therapy. We highlight the reasons behind the possible different mechanisms of lymphomagenesis in HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma and endemic Burkitt lymphoma, which indicate that HIV might have either a direct or indirect oncogenic role in Burkitt lymphoma. We discuss the possible mechanisms by which HIV and HIV proteins could directly contribute to lymphomagenesis. Identifying these mechanisms might lead to the development of therapies that have fewer toxic effects than high-intensity chemotherapeutic regimens.
Recommended Citation
Atallah-Yunes SA, Murphy DJ, Noy A. HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma. Lancet Haematol. 2020 Aug;7(8):e594-e600. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(20)30126-5.
PMID
32735838