Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is consistently expressed in Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells and has no impact on survival in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related and non-related Hodgkin lymphoma in Brazil.

Clinical and histological features of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) are primarily due to the effects of cytokines and enzymes produced by Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and their surrounding inflammatory cells. In EBV-related cancers, the expression of viral latent membrane protein 1 correlates with an increased MMP9 expression. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic relevance of MMP9 expression and EBV status in HRS cells in patients with cHL in Brazil. We selected 97 patients with cHL for EBV and MMP9 detection. EBV was detected in 52.5%, and MMP9 expression positivity was found in 87.6%. Of all cases, there was no correlation between MMP9 expression and EBV status. Response to treatment and relapse rate was independent of MMP9 expression and EBV status. MMP9 positivity did not influence overall survival and event-free survival. The consistent and increased intensity of MMP9 expression in HRS cells make this enzyme a potential target for therapy.

Impact of Epstein-Barr virus in the clinical evolution of patients with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma (cHL) has been frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can be found in a latent pattern in Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells. However, the impact of the presence of EBV in RS cells and its prognosis are still controversial. We analysed the presence of EBV in RS cells and its influence in the clinical evolution of patients with cHL treated in two public hospitals in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 97 patients with cHL from 1994 to 2004. Patients were only included in this study if they had (1) >18 years, (2) negative HIV serology, (3) undergone similar chemotherapy protocols, (4) paraffin blocks available with enough material for systematic review and histological reclassification and for detection of EBV in RS cells by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry and (5) clinical, epidemiological and laboratorial parameters available after a thorough chart review. RESULTS: EBV was identified in 52.5% of the cases. Mixed cellularity (MC) subtype was more common in EBV-related tumours (25.5%) (p=0.005). There was no difference on age, gender, stage and the presence of B symptoms between the two groups. The presence of EBV did not influence event free survival (EFS) (p=0.38) or overall survival (OS) (p=0.80) with a median follow-up of 80 months. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the prevalence of EBV-related cHL in this Brazilian population is 52.5% and, that, the presence of EBV does not change the clinical evolution and OS of patients treated with similar chemotherapy protocols.