Article

Role of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in HCV-related, low-grade, B-cell, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a multicenter Italian experience.

Department of Oncology and Hematology, G. da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Via Taverna 49, 29100 Piacenza, Italy.
Journal of Clinical Oncology (impact factor: 18.37). 02/2005; 23(3):468-73. DOI:10.1200/JCO.2005.06.008 pp.468-73
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is endemic in some areas of Northwestern Europe and the United States. HCV has been shown to play a role in the development of both hepatocellular carcinoma and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). The biologic mechanisms underlying the lymphomagenic activity of the virus so far are under investigation. In this study, the role of antiviral (anti-HCV) treatment in B-NHL associated with HCV infection is evaluated.
Thirteen patients with histologically proven low-grade B-NHL characterized by an indolent course (ie, doubling time no less than 1 year, no bulky disease) and carrying HCV infection were enrolled on the study. All patients underwent antiviral treatment alone with pegilated interferon and ribavirin. Response assessment took place at 6 and 12 months.
Of the twelve assessable patients, seven (58%) achieved complete response and two (16%) partial hematologic response at 14.1 +/- 9.7 months (range, 2 to 24 months, median follow-up, 14 months), while two had stable disease with only one patient experiencing progression of disease. Hematologic responses (complete and partial, 75%) were highly significantly associated to clearance or decrease in serum HCV viral load following treatment (P = .005). Virologic response was more likely to be seen in HCV genotype 2 (P = .035), while hematologic response did not correlate with the viral genotype. Treatment-related toxicity did not cause discontinuation of therapy in all but two patients, one of whom, however, achieved complete response.
This experience strongly provides a role for antiviral treatment in patients affected by HCV-related, low-grade, B-cell NHL.

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    Arthritis research & therapy 08/2011; 13(4):233. · 4.27 Impact Factor
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Keywords

1 year
 
24 months
 
B-cell NHL
 
B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
 
B-NHL
 
bulky disease
 
HCV genotype 2
 
HCV infection
 
Hematologic responses
 
hepatocellular carcinoma
 
low-grade B-NHL
 
lymphomagenic activity
 
median follow-up
 
one patient
 
patients
 
pegilated interferon
 
serum HCV viral load
 
twelve assessable patients
 
United States
 
viral genotype
 

Daniele Vallisa