The Viral Load of Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) DNA in Peripheral Blood Predicts for Biological and Clinical Characteristics in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract

Although the presence of EBV-DNA in peripheral blood cannot be regarded as a surrogate marker for EBER, the plasma EBV-DNA load at HL diagnosis is an indicator of disease activity and biological characteristics associated with negative prognosis. Moreover, the inverse correlation to EBNA1 antibody titers and lymphocyte counts may indicate a reduction in immunosurveillance, favoring the expansion of EBV-HRS cells in HL.