ABSTRACT
Since its discovery as the first human tumor associated virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in the development of a wide range of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, including Burkitt' slymphoma, classic Hodgkin' s lymphoma and lymphomas arising in immunocompromised individuals (posttransplant and HIV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders). T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders that have been reported to be EBV associated include a subset of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, extranodal nasal type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, and other rare histotypes. EBV encodes a series of products interacting with or exhibiting homology to wide variety of antiapoptotic molecules,cytokines, and signal transducers, hence promoting EBV infection, immortalization and transformation.However, the exact mechanism by which EBV promotes oncogenesis is still an area of active debate. This review is focused on the pathology, diagnosis, classification, and pathogenesis of EBV-associated lymphomas.Recent advances in EBV cell-based immunotherapy, which is beginning to show promise in the treatment of EBV-related disorders, are discussed.
