EBV‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma of the elderly: 2016 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the elderly is a provisional entity included in the 2008 WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms. It is a disease typically seen in the elderly and thought to be associated with chronic EBV infection and severe immunosuppression with a component of immunosenescence. Recent research, however, has suggested that EBV‐positive DLBCL can be seen in younger, immunocompetent patients. The diagnosis of EBV‐positive DLBCL of the elderly is made through a careful pathological evaluation. The differential diagnosis includes infectious mononucleosis (specifically in younger patients), lymphomatoid granulomatosis, Hodgkin lymphoma, and gray zone lymphoma, among others. Detection of EBV‐encoded RNA (EBER) is considered standard for diagnosis; however, a clear cutoff for positivity has not been defined. The International Prognostic Index (IPI), and the Oyama score can be used for risk‐stratification. The Oyama score includes age >70 years and presence of B symptoms. The expression of CD30 is emerging as a potential adverse, and targetable, prognostic factor. Patients with EBV‐positive DLBCL should be staged and managed following similar guidelines than patients with EBV‐negative DLBCL. It has been suggested, however, that EBV‐positive patients have a worse prognosis than EBV‐negative counterparts in the era of chemoimmunotherapy. There is an opportunity to study and develop targeted therapy in the management of patients with EBV‐positive DLBCL. Am. J. Hematol. 91:530–537, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.