DIFFERENCES IN EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS EXPRESSION BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CUTANEOUS ANGIOCENTRIC LYMPHOMAS

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been demonstrated in angiocen tric immunoproliferative lesions, suggesting that it could be a causat ive factor. We investigated for the presence of EBV in 12 primary and 2 secondary cutaneous angiocentric lymphomas (CALs). Observations: In the 2 secondary CALs, strong reactivity for EBV RNAs and latent membra ne protein 1 were detected on paraffin-embedded sections. In contrast, 10 of 12 primary CALs were completely negative for EBV RNAs and laten t membrane protein 1. In 2 primary CALs, EBV RNAs and latent membrane protein 1 were detected in few tumor cells. In the group of primary CA Ls, 8 of 12 were still alive at last follow-up, 3 died of systemic lym phoma, and 1 died of another cause, whereas both patients with seconda ry CALs died of disease within 1 year. Conclusion: Differences in the presence of EBV and clinical behavior between primary and secondary CA Ls suggest that different mechanisms are operative in the pathogenesis of these conditions, and indicate that the 2 groups should be conside red separately.