Long-term survival in AIDS-related primary central nervous system lymphoma

Long-term remission with temozolomide for AIDS-related primary central nervous system lymphoma

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive brain tumour with a median survival rarely exceeding 3 months without treatment when seen in association with advanced HIV. High dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) in association with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is the recommended chemotherapy. However, HD-MTX may be not feasible due to poor performance status and concerns about toxicity. The 2023 guidelines from the European Association of Neuro-Oncology recommend that for people living with HIV (PLWH) presenting with PCNSL who have morbidities and/or poor functional status precluding the safe use of HD-MTX, other agents with a more favorable toxicity profile such as temozolomide might be considered. However, reports of temozolomide use for PLWH presenting PCNSL are exceedingly rare and this recommendation is extrapolated from its use in immunocompetent patients. We report here an elderly man living with HIV, with PCNSL and poor performance status who achieved long lasting remission with temozolomide plus cART. Our case illustrates the potential effectiveness of temozolomide in association with cART as first line treatment for PCNSL in a patient with poor functional status.

Cannabidiol and its application in the treatment of oral diseases: therapeutic potentials, routes of administration and prospects

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the most important active ingredients in cannabis, has been reported to have some pharmacological effects such as antibacterial and analgesic effects, and to have therapeutic potential in the treatment of oral diseases such as oral cancer, gingivitis and periodontal diseases. However, there is a lack of relevant systematic research and reviews. Therefore, based on the etiology and clinical symptoms of several common oral diseases, this paper focuses on the therapeutic potential of CBD in periodontal diseases, pulp diseases, oral mucosal diseases, oral cancer and temporomandibular joint diseases. The pharmacological effects of CBD and the distribution and function of its receptors in the oral cavity are also summarized. In order to provide reference for future research and further clinical application of CBD, we also summarize several possible routes of administration and corresponding characteristics. Finally, the challenges faced while applying CBD clinically and possible solutions are discussed, and we also look to the future.

Complete response to front-line therapies is associated with long-term survival in HIV-related lymphomas in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for people living with HIV (PLWH) who develop lymphomas has been greatly improved by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. However, real-world clinical data on this patient group in Asia are limited.

METHODS

Treatment outcomes were retrospectively examined for 104 PLWH with lymphomas between 2000 and 2019. The cohort comprised five PLWH with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and 99 with non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including 61 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 19 with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), nine with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and ten with other subtypes.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were as follows: HL (100%), PCNSL (76.2%), other subtypes (60.0%), BL (57.4%), and DLBCL (55.6%). Individuals who achieved complete response (CR) to front-line therapies had a significantly better 5-year OS rate than those without (96.2% vs. 17.8%, p < 0.001). PLWH who received cART for ≤6 months had significantly lower CD4+ T-cell counts at lymphoma diagnosis than those who received cART for longer periods (p = 0.048). Additionally, the 5-year OS rate was better for PLWH who received cART for ≤6 months before lymphomas diagnosis than those who received cART for longer periods (64.5% vs. 51.9%, p = 0.114).

CONCLUSIONS

PLWH with DLBCL or BL had OS rates compatible to patients without HIV infection. Better outcomes for patients achieving CR to front-line therapy and those with shorter cART duration before lymphoma diagnosis suggest an underlying biological distinction in the lymphomas and the involvement of immunity, which warrants further studies.

Integrated genetic analyses of immunodeficiency-associated Epstein-Barr virus- (EBV) positive primary CNS lymphomas

Immunodeficiency-associated primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) represents a distinct clinicopathological entity, which is typically Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) and carries an inferior prognosis. Genetic alterations that characterize EBV-related CNS lymphomagenesis remain unclear precluding molecular classification and targeted therapies. In this study, a comprehensive genetic analysis of 22 EBV+ PCNSL, therefore, integrated clinical and pathological information with exome and RNA sequencing (RNASeq) data. EBV+ PCNSL with germline controls carried a median of 55 protein-coding single nucleotide variants (SNVs; range 24-217) and 2 insertions/deletions (range 0-22). Genetic landscape was largely shaped by aberrant somatic hypermutation with a median of 41.01% (range 31.79-53.49%) of SNVs mapping to its target motifs. Tumors lacked established SNVs (MYD88, CD79B, PIM1) and copy number variants (CDKN2A, HLA loss) driving EBV- PCNSL. Instead, EBV+ PCNSL were characterized by SOCS1 mutations (26%), predicted to disinhibit JAK/STAT signaling, and mutually exclusive gain-of-function NOTCH pathway SNVs (26%). Copy number gains were enriched on 11q23.3, a locus directly targeted for chromosomal aberrations by EBV, that includes SIK3 known to protect from cytotoxic T-cell responses. Losses covered 5q31.2 (STING), critical for sensing viral DNA, and 17q11 (NF1). Unsupervised clustering of RNASeq data revealed two distinct transcriptional groups, that shared strong expression of CD70 and IL1R2, previously linked to tolerogenic tumor microenvironments. Correspondingly, deconvolution of bulk RNASeq data revealed elevated M2-macrophage, T-regulatory cell, mast cell and monocyte fractions in EBV+ PCNSL. In addition to novel insights into the pathobiology of EBV+ PCNSL, the data provide the rationale for the exploration of targeted therapies including JAK-, NOTCH- and CD70-directed approaches.

Clinical pathology of primary central nervous system lymphoma in HIV-positive patients-a 41 Chinese patients retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS

We collected 41 PCNSL formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and performed HE (haematoxylin-eosin) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, in situ hybridization, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed in 9 cases of FFPE samples. Meanwhile, we analysed the clinical pathological significance of the results.

RESULTS

Seven patients had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with germinal centre B-cell (GCB)-like DLBCL, 32 had activated B-cell (ABC)-like DLBCL, and 2 had Burkitt lymphoma (BL). GCB-like DLBCL patients were older at onset (P = 0.040).A lower CD4⁺ T-cell count and a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose content were more frequent in ABC-like DLBCL (P = 0.012, P = 0.006). Overexpression of P53 was more in ABC-like DLBCL (P = 0.041). 73.2 % cases were Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER) positive, which was more likely in ABC-like DLBCL patients (P = 0.037). EBV DNA were detected in 5/7 EBER-negative DLBCL cases and none (0/2) of the BL cases. All the cases were negative for HHV8 staining. None of the 7 Double expressor lymphoma (DEL) cases had BCL2, BCL6, or c-MYC genetic rearrangements.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-related PCNSL showed unique clinical pathological significance. None of EBV detected in HIV-related BL and without HHV8 infectious are new sights in our single-center study of Chinese HIV-related PCNSL patients.

European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) guidelines for treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL)

The management of primary central nervous system (PCNSL) is one of the most controversial topics in neuro-oncology because of the complexity of the disease and the limited number of controlled studies available. In 2021, given recent advances and the publication of practice-changing randomized trials, the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) created a multidisciplinary task force to update the previously published evidence-based guidelines for immunocompetent adult patients with PCNSL and added a section on immunosuppressed patients. The guideline provides consensus considerations and recommendations for the treatment of PCNSL, including intraocular manifestations and specific management of the elderly. The main changes from the previous guideline include strengthened evidence for the consolidation with ASCT in first-line treatment, prospectively assessed chemotherapy combinations for both young and elderly patients, clarification of the role of rituximab even though the data remain inconclusive, of the role of new agents, and the incorporation of immunosuppressed patients and primary ocular lymphoma. The guideline should aid the clinicians in everyday practice and decision making and serve as a basis for future research in the field.

Advances and future perspectives in epithelial drug delivery

Epithelial surfaces protect exposed tissues in the body against intrusion of foreign materials, including xenobiotics, pollen and microbiota. The relative permeability of the various epithelia reflects their extent of exposure to the external environment and is in the ranking: intestinal≈ nasal ≥ bronchial ≥ tracheal > vaginal ≥ rectal > blood-perilymph barrier (otic), corneal > buccal > skin. Each epithelium also varies in their morphology, biochemistry, physiology, immunology and external fluid in line with their function. Each epithelium is also used as drug delivery sites to treat local conditions and, in some cases, for systemic delivery. The associated delivery systems have had to evolve to enable the delivery of larger drugs and biologicals, such as peptides, proteins, antibodies and biologicals and now include a range of physical, chemical, electrical, light, sound and other enhancement technologies. In addition, the quality-by-design approach to product regulation and the growth of generic products have also fostered advancement in epithelial drug delivery systems.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma: a real-world comparison of therapy access and outcomes by hospital setting

Background

This study analyzes sociodemographic barriers for primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) treatment and outcomes at a public safety-net hospital versus a private tertiary academic institution. We hypothesized that these barriers would lead to access disparities and poorer outcomes in the safety-net population.

Methods

We reviewed records of PCNSL patients from 2007-2020 (n = 95) at a public safety-net hospital (n = 33) and a private academic center (n = 62) staffed by the same university. Demographics, treatment patterns, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Patients at the safety-net hospital were significantly younger, more commonly Black or Hispanic, and had a higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS. They were significantly less likely to receive induction chemotherapy (67% vs 86%, P = .003) or consolidation autologous stem cell transplantation (0% vs. 47%, P = .001), but received more whole-brain radiation therapy (35% vs 16%, P = .001). Younger age and receiving any consolidation therapy were associated with improved progression-free (PFS, P = .001) and overall survival (OS, P = .001). Hospital location had no statistical impact on PFS (P = .725) or OS (P = .226) on an age-adjusted analysis.

Conclusions

Our study shows significant differences in treatment patterns for PCNSL between a public safety-net hospital and an academic cancer center. A significant survival difference was not demonstrated, which is likely multifactorial, but likely was positively impacted by the shared multidisciplinary care delivery between the institutions. As personalized therapies for PCNSL are being developed, equitable access including clinical trials should be advocated for resource-limited settings.

Clinical and Therapeutic Implications of Epstein-Barr Virus in HIV-Related Lymphomas

The incidence of lymphomas is increased in people living with HIV (PLWH). Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are the most common and are considered an AIDS-defining cancer (ADC). Although Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is not considered an ADC, its incidence is also increased in PLWH. Among all HIV-related lymphomas (HRL), the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is high. It has been shown that EBV is involved in different lymphomagenic mechanisms mediated by some of its proteins, contributing to the development of different lymphoma subtypes. Additionally, cooperation between both HIV and EBV can lead to the proliferation of aberrant B-cells, thereby being an additional lymphomagenic mechanism in EBV-associated HRL. Despite the close relationship between EBV and HRL, the impact of EBV on clinical aspects has not been extensively studied. These lymphomas are treated with the same therapeutic regimens as the general population in combination with cART. Nevertheless, new therapeutic strategies targeting EBV are promising for these lymphomas. In this article, the different types of HRL are extensively reviewed, focusing on the influence of EBV on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and pathological characteristics of each lymphoma subtype. Moreover, novel therapies targeting EBV and future strategies to treat HRL harboring EBV are discussed.

Long-term remission of AIDS-related primary central nervous system lymphoma in a patient under antiretroviral therapy: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

AIDS-related primary central nervous system lymphoma (AR-PCNSL) is an AIDS-defining disease that usually occurs when the CD4 count is less than 50 cells/μl. The frequency of the disease has substantially decreased in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Prognosis is poor with rapid progression leading to death within 2-3 months if left untreated.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 65 years old male presented to medical attention with gait disturbance, weight loss and slight left-sided hemiparesis. Human immunodeficiency virus infection was diagnosed with an initial CD4 count of 116 cells/µl and a viral load of 260,000 copies/ml. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed three brain lesions involving the right frontal lobe and the left parietal lobe, which on biopsy led to a diagnosis of AR-PCNSL. HAART was initiated with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT), and the patient declined systemic chemotherapy. Due to poor performance status, he was transferred to palliative care. Under HAART, he slowly recovered with normalization of CD4 count and undetectable viral load. Medical imaging showed complete remission (CR) of the brain lesions. At 3-year follow-up, the patient remains in CR, but presented mild neurocognitive dysfunction possibly secondary to WBRT.

CONCLUSION

Nowadays, treatment paradigm parallels that of primary central nervous system lymphoma in the immunocompetent population based on systemic chemotherapy (primarily high-dose intravenous methotrexate and steroids) in association with HAART. The role of WBRT is questionable because of late neurotoxic effects.

Differentiation of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Related Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma from Cerebral toxoplasmosis with Use of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging and Contrast Enhanced 3D-T1WI

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate whether susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and contrast-enhanced 3D-T1WI can differentiate Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-Related Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (AR-PCNSL) from cerebral toxoplasmosis.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study. 20 AIDS patients were divided into AR-PCNSL group (13 cases) and cerebral toxoplasmosis group (7 cases) based on pathology results. We analyzed the appearance of lesions on SWI and enhanced 3D T1WI and ROC curves in the diagnosis of AR-PCNSL and cerebral toxoplasmosis.

RESULTS

Cerebral toxoplasmosis was more likely to show annular enhancement (p = 0.002) and complete smooth ring enhancement (p = 0.002). It was also more likely to present a complete, smooth low signal intensity rim (LSIR) (p = 0.002) and an incomplete, smooth LSIR (p = 0.019) on SWI. AR-PCNSL was more likely to present an incomplete, irregular LSIR (p < 0.001) and irregular central low signal intensity (CLSI) (p<0.001) on SWI. The areas under the ROC curve of the SWI-ILSS grade and enhanced volume on 3D-T1WI were 0.872 and 0.862, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A higher SWI-ILSS grade and larger 3D-T1WI volume enhancement were diagnostic for AR-PCNSL. SWI and CE 3D-T1WI were useful in the differential diagnosis of AR-PCNSL and cerebral toxoplasmosis.

Hematological cancers in individuals infected by HIV

HIV infection increases cancer risk and is linked to cancers associated to infectious agents classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lymphomas represent one of the most frequent malignancies among individuals infected by HIV. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma remains a leading cancer after the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). The incidence of other lymphomas including Burkitt lymphoma, primary effusion lymphomas, and plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity remain stable, while the incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-associated Multicentric Castleman Disease has increased. The heterogeneity of lymphomas in individuals infected by HIV likely depends on the complexity of involved pathogenetic mechanisms, i.e. HIV-induced immunosuppression, genetic abnormalities, cytokine dysregulation, co-infection with the gamma-herpesviruses, Epstein Barr virus and KSHV, and the dysregulation of the immune responses controlling these viruses. In the modern cART era, standard treatments for HIV-associated lymphoma including stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory disease, mirrors that of the general population. The combination of cART and anti neoplastic treatments has resulted in remarkable prolongation of long-term survival. However, oncolytic and immunotherapic strategies, and therapies targeting specific viral oncogenes will need to be developed primarily.

Treatment Regimens for Immunocompetent Elderly Patients with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: A Scoping Review

Simple Summary

Most patients diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) are 60 years or older and tend to have a poor prognosis. Evidence to guide and optimize treatment choices for these vulnerable patients is limited. We performed a scoping review to identify and describe all relevant clinical studies investigating chemotherapies and combinations of chemotherapies (including high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HCT-ASCT)) in elderly PCNSL patients. In total, we identified six randomized controlled trials, 26 prospective and 24 retrospective studies (with/without control group). While most studies investigated protocols based on ‘conventional’ chemotherapy treatment, data evaluating HCT-ASCT in the elderly were scarce, and the generalizability of the only RCT published is questionable. Considering the poor prognosis of these patients and their need for more effective treatment options, a thoroughly planned randomized controlled trial comparing HCT-ASCT with ‘conventional’ chemoimmunotherapy is urgently needed to evaluate the efficacy of HCT-ASCT.

Abstract

Background: Most patients diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) are older than 60 years. Despite promising treatment options for younger patients, prognosis for the elderly remains poor and efficacy of available treatment options is limited. Materials and Methods: We conducted a scoping review to identify and summarize the current study pool available evaluating different types and combinations of (immuno) chemotherapy with a special focus on HCT-ASCT in elderly PCNSL. Relevant studies were identified through systematic searches in the bibliographic databases Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect (last search conducted in September 2020). For ongoing studies, we searched ClinicalTrials.gov, the German study register and the WHO registry. Results: In total, we identified six randomized controlled trials (RCT) with 1.346 patients, 26 prospective (with 1.366 patients) and 24 retrospective studies (with 2.629 patients). Of these, only six studies (one completed and one ongoing RCT (with 447 patients), one completed and one ongoing prospective single arm study (with 65 patients), and two retrospective single arm studies (with 122 patients)) evaluated HCT-ASCT. Patient relevant outcomes such as progression-free and overall survival and (neuro-)toxicity were adequately considered across almost all studies. The current study pool is, however, not conclusive in terms of the most effective treatment options for elderly. Main limitations were (very) small sample sizes and heterogeneous patient populations in terms of age ranges (particularly in RCTs) limiting the applicability of the results to the target population (elderly). Conclusions: Although it has been shown that HCT-ASCT is probably a feasible and effective treatment option, this approach has never been investigated within a RCT including a wide range of elderly patients. A RCT comparing conventional (immuno) chemotherapy with HCT-ASCT is crucial to evaluate benefit and harms in an un-biased manner to eventually provide older PCNSL patients with the most effective treatment.

[Human immunodeficiency virus and lymphoma]

Lymphomas remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for HIV-positive patients. The most common lymphomas include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, primary effusion lymphoma, plasmablastic lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Appropriate approach is determined by lymphoma stage, performans status, comorbidities, histological subtype, status of the HIV disease and immunosuppression. Treatment outcomes have improved due to chemotherapy modalities and effective antiretroviral therapy. This review summarizes epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, and current treatment landscape in HIV associated lymphoma.

MRI imaging features of HIV-related central nervous system diseases: diagnosis by pattern recognition in daily practice

With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the prognosis of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has improved, and the frequency of HIV-related central nervous system (CNS) diseases has decreased. Nevertheless, mortality from HIV-related CNS diseases, including those associated with ART (e.g., immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) remains significant. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can improve the outlook for people with HIV through early diagnosis and prompt treatment. For example, HIV encephalopathy shows a diffuse bilateral pattern, whereas progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, HIV-related primary CNS lymphoma, and CNS toxoplasmosis show focal patterns on MRI. Among the other diseases caused by opportunistic infections, CNS cryptococcosis and CNS tuberculosis have extremely poor prognoses unless diagnosed early. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome shows distinct MRI findings from the offending opportunistic infections. Although distinguishing between HIV-related CNS diseases based on imaging alone is difficult, in this review, we discuss how pattern recognition approaches can contribute to their early differentiation.

[Diagnosis and treatment of HIV-associated lymphoma: Update 202]

The risk of malignant lymphomas is markedly increased in HIV-infected persons even in the era of effective combination antiretroviral therapy. Major risk factors are the depth of CD4-cell nadir and HIV viremia. R-CHOP remains treatment of choice for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In HIV-Burkitt lymphoma CODOX-M/IVAC proved superior to EPOCH in a large retrospective study. Standard treatment for plasmablastic or primary effusion lymphoma has not yet been defined. Favourable results have been reported with a stage adapted treatment for HIV-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients with relapsed/refractory HIV-lymphoma should undergo autologous stem cell transplantation if indicated. Successful anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy was also reported in HIV-infected patients with refractory B-cell lymphoma.

HIV Lymphoma and Burkitts Lymphoma

Despite widely available antiretroviral therapy, lymphoma remains the leading cause of death for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons in economically developed countries. Even a few months of drug interruptions can lead to drops in the CD4 cell count, HIV viremia, and an increased risk of lymphoma. Currently, good HIV control facilitates intensive therapies appropriate to the lymphoma, including autologous and even allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nonetheless, HIV-related lymphomas have unique aspects, including pathogenetic differences driven by the presence of HIV and often coinfection with oncogenic viruses. Future therapies might exploit these differences. Lymphoma subtypes also differ in the HIV-infected population, and the disease has a higher propensity for advanced-stage, aggressive presentation and extranodal disease. Other unique aspects include the need to avoid potential interactions between antiretroviral therapy and chemotherapeutic agents and the need for HIV-specific supportive care such as infection prophylaxis. Overall, the care of these patients has progressed sufficiently that recent guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology advocate the inclusion of HIV-infected patients alongside HIV-negative patients in cancer clinical trials when appropriate. This article examines HIV lymphoma and includes Burkitt lymphoma in the general population.

GCB-type is a favorable prognostic factor in primary CNS diffuse large B-cell lymphomas

Primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSLs) are aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) limited to the CNS that generally have a poor prognosis. Classification of DLBCL into germinal center B-cell (GCB) and activated B-cell (non-GCB) subtypes has prognostic value in systemic DLBCL, with GCB-type having a better prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether GCB versus non-GCB classification in PCNSLs has similar prognostic value. We analyzed clinical, radiological and histologic data from 24 patients with biopsy confirmed DLBCL of the CNS with classification into GCB versus non-GCB subtypes. We found that after a median follow-up of 15 months, only 39% of patients with non-GCB-type PCNS DLBCL were alive, whereas all patients with GCB-type were alive. Non-GCB-type had a median survival of 11 months, whereas all GCB-type patients were alive after a median follow-up of 22 months. As previously reported, we also found that patients younger than 70 years had longer survival (median 29 months) compared to older patients (median 8.8 months). There was no statistically significant difference between the ages, gender, focality, size or location of lesions, or treatment of non-GCB and GCB-type patients. Our findings suggest that classifying PCNSLs into GCB versus non-GCB subtype using the Hans algorithm may help stratify patients into two groups with different prognosis.

The Changing Landscape of Lymphoma Associated with HIV Infection

Purpose of Review

Cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals, with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as the most frequent one. However, the introduction of modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) drastically improved treatment options and prognosis in HIV-associated lymphomas. This review summarized the current treatment landscape and future challenges in HIV-positive patients with non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Recent Findings

Selecting the appropriate therapy for the individual patient, diffuse-large B cell lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s disease may be curable diseases. In contrast, the prognosis of plasmablastic lymphoma and primary effusion lymphoma remain poor. New treatment approaches, as targeted therapies or CAR T cell therapy, may broaden the therapeutic armamentarium.

Summary

The continuous application of ART is mandatory for successful treatment. The choice of lymphoma therapy may follow the recommendations for HIV-negative patients, but prospective trials in HIV-lymphoma are needed.

Treatment management of haematological malignancies in people living with HIV

Although the incidence of HIV-associated lymphomas decreased after the introduction of effective combination antiretroviral therapy, they became the most common AIDS-related cancer in high-income countries. Moreover, as people living with HIV live longer, a wide range of non-AIDS-related cancer has emerged, including other haematological malignancies. Nonetheless, combination antiretroviral therapy has offered people with HIV the opportunity to receive the same therapies as those provided to the general population, and intensive curative therapies have become the standard. However, several population-based studies highlight a major health-care disparity between people with HIV and those without, with people who are HIV positive often excluded from using innovative therapies and participating in prospective trials. In addition, patients from low-income countries frequently receive inappropriate treatment. The hope is that with increased awareness of effective curative options these disparities will decrease, and people with HIV will be given the same therapeutic opportunities and enrolled in clinical trials alongside patients who are HIV negative.

Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma in HIV Infection

Purpose: To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL).Methods: Narrative literature review.Results: HIV-related PVRL occurs in persons who are relatively young and generally have very low CD4+ T-cell counts. Vitritis with subretinal or sub-retinal pigment epithelial infiltrates is typical. Vitreous cytology remains the gold standard for diagnosis, supplemented by flow cytometry and genetic analyses of tumor cells, and measurement of aqueous or vitreous interleukin-10 levels. Concurrent brain involvement also may establish the diagnosis. Treatment includes antiretroviral therapy (ART), systemic chemotherapy (usually methotrexate-based) and local ocular treatment (intravitreal methotrexate, intravitreal rituximab, external beam radiotherapy). Systemic chemotherapy is of uncertain value for PVRL without other central nervous system involvement. Prognosis is poor, but has improved significantly compared to the pre-ART era.Conclusions: Ophthalmologists should consider the diagnosis of PVRL in HIV-positive individuals who present with intermediate or posterior uveitis.

Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in the Development of Neurological Disorders

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus that contributes to the etiology of diverse human cancers and auto-immune diseases. EBV establishes a relatively benign, long-term latent infection in over 90 percent of the adult population. Yet, it also increases risk for certain cancers and auto-immune disorders depending on complex viral, host, and environmental factors that are only partly understood. EBV latent infection is found predominantly in memory B-cells, but the natural infection cycle and pathological aberrations enable EBV to infect numerous other cell types, including oral, nasopharyngeal, and gastric epithelia, B-, T-, and NK-lymphoid cells, myocytes, adipocytes, astrocytes, and neurons. EBV infected cells, free virus, and gene products can also be found in the CNS. In addition to the direct effects of EBV on infected cells and tissue, the effect of chronic EBV infection on the immune system is also thought to contribute to pathogenesis, especially auto-immune disease. Here, we review properties of EBV infection that may shed light on its potential pathogenic role in neurological disorders.

Induction therapy with the MATRix regimen in patients with newly diagnosed primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system - an international study of feasibility and efficacy in routine clinical practice

The MATRix chemoimmunotherapy regimen is highly effective in patients with newly diagnosed primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNSL). However, nothing is known about its feasibility and efficacy in everyday practice, where patients are more often older/frailer than those enrolled in clinical trials. We conducted a retrospective study addressing tolerability/efficacy of MATRix in 156 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL treated outside a clinical trial. Median age and ECOG Performance Status of considered patients were 62 years (range 28-78) and 2 (range 0-4). The overall response rate after MATRix was 79%. Nine (6%) treatment-related deaths were recorded. After a median follow-up of 27.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.4-31.9%), the two-year progression-free and overall survival were 56% (95% CI 48.4-64.9%) and 64.1% (95% CI 56.7-72.5%) respectively. Patients not eligible for the IELSG32 trial were treated with lower dose intensity and had substantially worse outcomes than those fulfilling inclusion criteria. This is the largest series of PCNSL patients treated with MATRix outside a trial and recapitulates the IELSG32 trial outcomes in the non-trial setting for patients who fit the trial criteria. These data underscore the feasibility and efficacy of MATRix as induction treatment for fit patients in routine practice.

Optimizing treatment of HIV-associated lymphoma

Cancer is the leading cause of death for HIV-infected persons in economically developed countries, even in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Lymphomas remain a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality for HIV-infected patients and have increased incidence even in patients optimally treated with ART. Even limited interruptions of ART can lead to CD4 cell nadirs and HIV viremia, and increase the risk of lymphoma. The treatment of lymphoma is now similar for HIV-infected patients and the general population: patients with good HIV control can withstand intensive therapies appropriate to the lymphoma, including autologous and even allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nonetheless, HIV-related lymphomas have unique aspects, including differences in lymphoma pathogenesis, driven by the presence of HIV, in addition to coinfection with oncogenic viruses. These differences might be exploited in the future to inform therapies. The relative incidences of lymphoma subtypes also differ in the HIV-infected population, and the propensity to advanced stage, aggressive presentation, and extranodal disease is higher. Other unique aspects include the need to avoid potential interactions between ART and chemotherapeutic agents, and the need for HIV-specific supportive care, such as infection prophylaxis. Despite these specific challenges for cancer treatment in the setting of HIV infection, the care of these patients has progressed sufficiently that recent guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology advocate the inclusion of HIV-infected patients alongside HIV- patients in cancer clinical trials when appropriate.

Prognostic markers for immunodeficiency-associated primary central nervous system lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Immunodeficiency is a major risk factor for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), but data on the disease in immunocompromised hosts are scarce. We aimed to define clinical and imaging features and determine prognostic factors for immunodeficiency-associated PCNSL.

METHODS

All PCNSL cases seen at Yale-New Haven Hospital between 2002 and 2017 were retrospectively screened for immunodeficiency. For patients with immunosuppression, biopsies were evaluated and clinical data were collected. Predictors of survival were identified using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test. p values < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

23 patients with immunodeficiencies were identified: eleven on immunosuppressants after solid organ transplantation, seven with human immunodeficiency virus infection, and five on immunosuppressive treatment due to various autoimmune disorders. PCNSL cases were largely Epstein-Barr-Virus positive (78%), histologically classified as diffuse large B cell lymphomas (87%), and showed peripheral contrast enhancement (81%) and corresponding heterogeneous diffusion-weighted imaging patterns (DWI) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (71%). Median overall survival was 31 months. Age > 60 years at diagnosis (p < 0.01), peripheral enhancement of the mass on MRI (p = 0.04), heterogeneous DWI patterns (p = 0.04), and clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement (IgHR) (p = 0.03) were found to be negative prognostic markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunodeficiency-associated PCNSL presents with similar clinical, pathological and imaging features. Age > 60 years, clonal IgHR, heterogeneous DWI pattern and peripheral enhancement on MRI may serve as predictors of less favorable outcome.

Hiv and Lymphoma: from Epidemiology to Clinical Management

Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk for developing both non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). Even if this risk has decreased for NHL after the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), they remain the most common acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cancer in the developed world. They are almost always of B-cell origin, and some specific lymphoma types are more common than others. Some of these lymphoma types can occur in both HIV-uninfected and infected patients, while others preferentially develop in the context of AIDS. HIV-associated lymphoma differs from lymphoma in the HIV negative population in that they more often present with advanced disease, systemic symptoms, and extranodal involvement and are frequently associated with oncogenic viruses (Epstein-Barr virus and/or human herpesvirus-8). Before the introduction of cART, most of these patients could not tolerate the treatment strategies routinely employed in the HIV-negative population. The widespread use of cART has allowed for the delivery of full-dose and dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens with improved outcomes that nowadays can be compared to those seen in non-HIV infected patients. However, a great deal of attention should be paid to opportunistic infections and other infectious complications, cART-chemotherapy interactions, and potential cumulative toxicity. In the context of relatively sparse prospective and randomized trials, the optimal treatment of AIDS-related lymphomas remains a challenge, particularly in patients with severe immunosuppression. This paper will address epidemiology, pathogenesis, and therapeutic strategies in HIV-associated NHL and HL.

Management of primary central nervous system lymphoma

A rare tumor, primary central nervous system lymphoma can affect immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. While sensitive to radiotherapy or chemotherapy crossing the blood-brain barrier, it often recurs. Modern treatment consists of high-dose methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy, often followed by consolidation with either radiotherapy or further chemotherapy. Neurotoxicity is however a concern with radiotherapy, especially for patients older than 60 years. The benefit of the addition of rituximab to chemotherapy is unclear. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have been effective in some patients and are tested on a larger scale. Survival has improved in the last decade, but remains poor in older patients.

GESIDA/PETHEMA recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of lymphomas in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus

The incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma is higher in patients with HIV infection than in the general population. Following the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prognostic significance of HIV-related variables has decreased, and lymphoma-related factors have become more pronounced. Currently, treatments for lymphomas in HIV-infected patients do not differ from those used in the general population. However, differentiating characteristics of seropositive patients, such as the need for cART and specific prophylaxis and treatment of certain opportunistic infections, should be considered. This document updates recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of lymphomas in HIV infected patients published by GESIDA/PETHEMA in 2008.

Primary CNS lymphoma in HIV infection

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) has been designated an acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining disease since 1983 and accounts for up to 15% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. The majority of HIV patients are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related. The most likely etiology is ineffective immunoregulation of EBV, inducing oncogenic protein expression, and subsequent loss of apoptosis and increased proliferation of lymphocytes. PCNSL generally presents with supratentorial, single or multiple, contrast-enhancing lesions. Neurologic symptoms can be headache, cognitive function disorders, focal neurologic, deficit and epilepsy. Differential diagnosis includes other oncologic or infectious causes, with cerebral toxoplasmosis being the most important. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics, activity on ²⁰¹thallium single-photon emission computed tomography, presence of EBV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid, and toxoplasmosis serology can make either PCNSL or cerebral toxoplasmosis more or less likely. However, definitive diagnosis of PCNSL relies on histopathologic confirmation. First-choice treatment is combination antiretroviral therapy in combination with high-dose methotrexate(-based) chemotherapy in patients in whom this is feasible. Combination antiretroviral therapy combined with whole-brain radiotherapy may be an alternative. Treatment of EBV with antiviral agents such as ganciclovir or zidovudine may be beneficial, but this needs further study. Prognosis of HIV-related PCNSL is poor, with median survival varying from 2 to 4 months, but patients treated with chemotherapy do better (median survival 1.5 years).

Biology of CNS lymphoma and the potential of novel agents

Primary and secondary CNS lymphomas are aggressive brain tumors that pose an immense challenge to define in terms of molecular pathogenesis, as well as to effectively treat. During the past 10 years improvements in survival have been achieved with the implementation of anti-CD20 immunotherapy and optimization of dose-intensive consolidation strategies. The applications of whole-exome sequencing, comparative genomic hybridization, transcriptional profiling, and examination of the tumor microenvironment, particularly in the context of clinical investigation, provide insights that create a roadmap for the development and implementation of novel targeted agents for this disease. A body of genetic evidence strongly suggested that primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSLs) are likely largely dependent on NF-κB prosurvival signals, with enrichment of mutations involving the B-cell receptor pathway, in particular myeloid differentiation primary response 88 and cluster of differentiation 79B. The first set of early-phase investigations that target NF-κB in PCNSL have now been completed and support the NF-κB hypothesis but at the same time reveal that much work needs to be done to translate these results into meaningful advances in survival for a large fraction of patients. Insights into secondary prosurvival pathways that mediate drug resistance is a priority for investigation. Similarly, further evaluation of the immune-suppressive mechanisms in the CNS lymphoma tumor microenvironment is requisite for progress. Combinatorial interventions that promote the antitumor immune response have significant potential. With increasing availability of targeted agents, there is also a need to develop more sensitive imaging tools, not only to detect this highly invasive brain neoplasm but also potentially to define an evolving molecular phenotype to facilitate precision medicine.

Long-term AIDS-related PCNSL outcomes with HD-MTX and combined antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AIDS-related primary CNS lymphoma (AR-PCNSL) in the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era systematically treated with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed (intention-to-treat analysis) 51 consecutive patients with AR-PCNSL (median age 39 years) who were diagnosed from 1996 to 2014 and treated with a median of 6 (range 1-15) infusions of HD-MTX (3 g/m²) combined with cART.

RESULTS

Median all-patients' and survivors' follow-up lasted 23 (range 0-186) and 76 (range 23-186) months, respectively. At PCNSL diagnosis, 83% of the patients were on cART, median plasma HIV load was 175,600 copies/mL, and median CD4+ T-cell count was 24/μL. Median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 2 (range 1-4). Median overall survival (OS) was 5.7 years, with 5- and 10-year rates of 48% and 41%. Median time to progression was not reached (69% at 10 months). PCNSL was the direct cause of 14 deaths, all observed within the 10 months after its diagnosis: 6 patients died before HD-MTX could be administered, 4 had refractory disease, and 4 relapsed. Multivariate analyses retained time interval between AIDS diagnosis and PCNSL diagnosis, age at AR-PCNSL diagnosis, and deep brain structure involvement as independent OS-predictive factors. To restore effective immune function, cART tailored to HIV genotypes was started and combined with HD-MTX; no interactions and no immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome occurred. No patient died of acute treatment-related toxicity, and 21 of 51 (41%) patients experienced grade 3/4 toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined short-term HD-MTX monochemotherapy and optimal cART simply and effectively treat AR-PCNSL, achieving long-term survival with few relapses.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class IV evidence that short-term HD-MTX monochemotherapy improves long-term survival of patients with AIDS with primary CNS lymphoma receiving cARTs.