Prognostic Significance of Epstein - Barr Virus in Nodal Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma, Unspecified: A Groupe d’Etude des Lymphomes de l’Adulte (GELA) Study Running title: EBV IN PTCL, UNSPECIFIED Scientific section: NEOPLASIA

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are rare and have a dismal prognosis. The most frequent subtype is PTCL, unspecified. Epstein – Barr virus (EBV) has been detected in around 40% of cases, but its prognostic significance is not fully established. Lymph node samples from 110 patients with PTCL, unspecified included in LNH87 and LNH93 trials were available. EBV status was studied by EBER In Situ Hybridization (EBER-ISH). EBER-ISH showed positive cells in 45/110 patients (41%). Pretreatment characteristics were comparable between positive and negative cases, except for male gender (80% versus 60% respectively, p=0.02). Only 50% of patients achieved complete remission with a 5 year eventfree survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of 21% and 30%. EBER-ISH positivity was the sole factor linked with worse EFS with a 5 year probability of 11% for positive patients. In univariate analysis, factors affecting OS were EBER-ISH positivity, high LDH level and age >60 years. In multivariate analysis, EBER-ISH was associated with a worse OS in the elderly population. Time-dependent analysis showed that the negative impact of EBV was essentially seen in the first 2 years following diagnosis. These results warrant further studies regarding pathogeny and specific treatment approaches for EBV-associated PTCL patients. For personal use only. on September 13, 2017. by guest www.bloodjournal.org From