The microenvironment of AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma provides insight into the pathophysiology and indicates possible therapeutic strategies

Despite the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), AIDS-related lymphoma remains common. We investigated the tumor, microenvironment, and viral components in 41 AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (AR-DLBCLs) in the pre- and post-HAART era. The outcome has improved and the frequency of the prognostically unfavorable immunoblastic histology has decreased after HAART. Compared with sporadic cases, AR-DLBCL demonstrated increased hyperproliferation (P < .001) and c-Myc rearrangements, reduced CD4+ (P < .001) and FOXP3+ T cells (P < .001), increased activated cytotoxic cells (P < .001), but no difference in tumor-associated macrophages. Our analysis showed that AR-DLBCL is highly angiogenic with higher blood-vessel density than sporadic cases (P < .001) and highlighted the role of Epstein-Barr virus in angiogenesis. We recognized viral profiles and as a second step examined the reactive cytotoxic cell infiltrates. Our observation of markedly higher numbers of cytotoxic cells in AR-DLBCL with LMP1 and/or p24 compared with cases lacking viral antigens (P < .001) has important clinical implications, implicitly linked to the immunosurveillance theory. Whereas early initiation of HAART should improve immunosurveillance and reduce the incidence of LMP1-positive AR-DLBCL, cases without viral antigens appear able to avoid immunologic reaction and likely require additional strategies to improve surveillance. •AIDS-related DLBCL is highly angiogenic with markedly higher blood-vessel density than sporadic cases.•Infiltration by activated cytotoxic cells in AIDS-related DLBCL is determined by the presence of LMP1 and/or p24 viral antigens.