Epstein-Barr virus-associated large B-cell lymphoma transformation in marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a series of four cases.

Aims: To present four examples of clonally related Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated large-cell transformation of marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) (of nodal, extranodal and splenic types), occurring 120, 11 and 5 months after the initial diagnosis in three instances, and concurrently in one case; and to discuss several interesting features of EBV infection.

Methods And Results: Somatic mutations were detected by use of a customised panel for next-generation sequencing and polymerase chain reaction studies of IgH in both low-grade and high-grade components of each case. In case 1, the initial biopsy of nodal MZL showed scattered EBV-positive cells, which might constitute an indication of EBV-induced progression.