Response to antiviral treatment in hepatitis C virus-associated marginal zone lymphomas

Leukemia. 2004 Oct;18(10):1711-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403443.

Abstract

A link between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and low-grade B-cell lymphomas has been suggested by epidemiological studies. Marginal zone lymphomas (MZLs) including splenic lymphomas with villous lymphocytes are among the most frequently reported subgroups in the setting of chronic HCV infection. In this study, we examined the effect of antiviral treatment in eight patients with HCV-associated MZL. We found that five out of eight patients have responded to interferon alpha and ribavirin. In some cases, hematologic responses were correlated to virologic responses. In addition, we report a case of large granular lymphocyte leukemia occurring in association with MZL and HCV, and responding to interferon and ribavirin. We suggest that there is an etiologic link between HCV and antigen-driven lymphoproliferative disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity*
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / complications
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Ribavirin