Hepatitis C virus-associated non-Hodgkin lymphomas: the endless history

Minerva Med. 2021 Apr;112(2):215-227. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4806.20.07184-0. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global population problem due to its high prevalence worldwide. In the prognosis of patients with HCV not only hepatic but increasingly frequent of extrahepatic HCV manifestations, such as mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), are important. The role of the HCV virus in the pathogenesis of lymphoproliferative diseases is confirmed by a large number of epidemiological studies, as well as by the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The purpose of the review was to provide an overview of epidemiological and biological data explaining the role of HCV in the development of NHL. The review also discusses HCV-associated NHL treatment by the traditional antiviral therapy (interferon and ribavirin) and by the new direct antiviral agents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cryoglobulinemia / etiology
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Interferons / therapeutic use
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / epidemiology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / etiology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin
  • Interferons