Unlikely role of Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Background: Primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare subset of cutaneous lymphoma, with a much better prognosis than its nodal counterpart. The pathogenesis of both nodal and primary cutaneous CD30(+) ALCL is largely unknown but experimental data support the hypothes is that the Epstein-Barr virus could play a role in the nodal subset. Objective: To evaluate the involvement of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in prima ry cutaneous CD30(+) ALCL by searching for both nucleic acids and EBV prote ins in cutaneous lesions. Setting: Two University Hospitals in Southern France (secondary referral ho spitals). Patients. Eight consecutive patients with typical primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma were studied. Methods: Search for the prese nce of DNA, RNA and EBV proteins in cutaneous lesions by PCR, in situ hybri dization and immunohistochemistry. Results: EBV DNA and RNA was identified in only one lesion of primary cutan eous CD30(+) ALCL and in none of the normal adjacent skin samples. In situ hybridization and immunohistological studies were consistently negative in all samples. Conclusion: These results do not support an early role of EBV in the oncoge netic pathogenesis of primary cutaneous CD30(+) ALCL.