Hepatitis C virus-related lymphoproliferative disorders： An overview

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem affecting 3% of the world’s population (about 180 million) and a cause of both hepatic and extrahepatic diseases. B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, whose prototype is mixed cryoglobulinemia, represent the most closely related as well as the most investigated HCV- related extrahepatic disorder. The association between extrahepatic (lymphoma) as well as hepatic malignancies (hepatocellular carcinoma) has justified the inclusion of HCV among human cancer viruses. HCV-associated manifestations also include porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus, nephropathies, thyreopathies, sicca syndrome, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, diabetes, chronic polyarthritis, sexual dysfunctions, cardiopathy/ atherosclerosis, and psychopathological disorders. A pathogenetic link between HCV virus and some lymphoproliferative disorders was confirmed by their responsiveness to antiviral therapy, which is now considered the first choice treatment. The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of extrahepatic manifestations of HCV infection with particular attention to B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Available pathogenetic hypotheses and suggestions about the most appropriate, currently available, therapeutic approaches will also be discussed.     

Hepatitis C virus lymphotropism and peculiar immunological phenotype： Effects on natural history and antiviral therapy

Hepatitis C virus （HCV） has been recognized to be both a hepato- and lymphotropic virus. HCV lymphotropism represents an essential lap in the pathogenesis of virus-related autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders, ranging from clonal expansion of B-cells with organ-and non-organ-specific autoantibody production up to overt non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma along a continuous step-by-step model of B-cell lymphomagenesis, where the intermediated mixed cryoglobulinemia could be considered as a stage of suppressible antigen-driven lymphoproliferation. HCV infection of lymphoid ceils could set up privileged reservoirs able to interfere with the host viral clearance efficiency and may be implicated in viral recurrence after apparently successful antiviral therapy. The HCV long-lasting extrahepatic replicative state generates an abnormal systemic immunological response, easily detectable by searching simple laboratory and clinical parameters, mainly represented by vasculitis-like skin features and hypocomplementemia.The presence or absence of this hypersensitivity pattern seems to correlate with the antiviral response and could be identified as a novel immunological cofactor. Further research is required to fully verify the real impact on therapeutic choice/regimen.     

Hepatitis C infection and lymphoproliferative disease:Accidental comorbidities?

Chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection has been associated with liver cancer and cirrhosis,autoimmune disorders such as thyroiditis and mixed cryoglobulinema,and alterations in immune function and chronic inflammation,both implicated in B cell lymphoproliferative diseases that may progress to non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL).HCV bound to B cell surface receptors can induce lymphoproliferation,leading to DNA mutations and/or lower antigen response thresholds.These findings and epidemiological reports suggest an association between HCV infection and NHL.We performed a systematic review of the literature to clarify this potential relationship.We searched the English-language literature utilizing Medline,Embase,Paper First,Web ofScience,Google Scholar,and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,with search terms broadly defined to capture discussions of HCV and its relationship with NHL and/or lymphoproliferative diseases.References were screened to further identify relevant studies and literature in the basic sciences.A total of 62 reports discussing the relationship between HCV,NHL,and lymphoproliferative diseases were identified.Epidemiological studies suggest that at least a portion of NHL may be etiologically attributable to HCV,particularly in areas with high HCV prevalence.Studies that showed a lack of association between HCV infection and lymphoma may have been influenced by small sample size,short follow-up periods,and database limitations.The association appears strongest with the B-cell lymphomas relative to other lymphoproliferative diseases.Mechanisms by which chronic HCV infection promotes lymphoproliferative disease remains unclear.Lymphomagenesis is a multifactorial process involving genetic,environmental,and infectious factors.HCV most probably have a role in the lymphomagenesis but further study to clarify the association and underlying mechanisms is warranted.     

Hepatitis C virus infection in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Summary. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is both a hepatotropic and a lymphotropic virus, has been proposed as a possible causative agent of mixed cryoglobulinaemia. This 'benign' lymphoproliferative disorder can switch over to a malignant B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Therefore HCV infection has been investigated in a series of 50 unselected Italian patients with B-cell NHL. Antibodies against HCV were found in 30% of NHL and HCV viraemia in 32% of cases. HCV-related markers were detected in 34% (17/50) of our NHL patients; this prevalence is particularly significant when compared with HCV seropositivity in Hodgkin's lymphoma (3%) and healthy controls (1.3%).     

Hepatitis C virus syndrome: A constellation of organ-and non-organ specific autoimmune disorders,B-cell nonHodgkin’s lymphoma,and cancer

The clinical course of chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is characterized by possible development of both liver and extrahepatic disorders. The tropism of HCV for the lymphoid tissue is responsible for several immune-mediated disorders; a poly-oligoclonal B-lymphocyte expansion, commonly observed in a high proportion of patients with HCV infection, are responsible for the production of different autoantibodies and immune-complexes, such as mixed cryoglobulins. These serological alterations may characterize a variety of autoimmune or neoplastic diseases. Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis due to small-vessel deposition of circulating mixed cryoglobulins is the prototype of HCV-driven immune-mediated and lymphoproliferative disorders; interestingly, in some cases the disease may evolve to frank malignant lymphoma. In addition, HCV shows an oncogenic potential as suggested by several clinicoepidemiological and laboratory studies; in addition to hepatocellular carcinoma that represents the most frequent HCV-related malignancy, a causative role of HCV has been largely demonstrated in a significant percentage of patients with isolated B-cells nonHodgkin’s lymphomas. The same virus may be also involved in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer, a rare neoplastic condition that may complicate HCVrelated thyroid involvement. Patients with HCV infection are frequently asymptomatic or may develop only hepatic alteration, while a limited but clinically relevant number can develop one or more autoimmune and/or neoplastic disorders. Given the large variability of their prevalence among patients’ populations from different countries, it is possible to hypothesize a potential role of other co-factors, i.e., genetic and/or environmental, in the pathogenesis of HCV-related extra-hepatic diseases.     

Case report of acute-on-chronic liver failure secondary to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Acute liver failure is a rare presentation of hematologic malignancy. Acute on chronic liver failure(ACLF) is a newly recognized clinical entity that describes acute hepatic decompensation in persons with preexisting liver disease. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma(NHL) with increasing incidence in older males, females and blacks. However, it has not yet been reported, to present with acute liver failure in patients with preexisting chronic liver disease due to human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/hepatitis C virus(HCV) co-infection. We describe a case of ACLF as the presenting manifestation of DLBCL in an elderly black man with HIV/HCV coinfection and prior Hodgkin’s disease in remission for three years. The rapidly fatal outcome of this disease is highlighted as is the distinction of ACLF from decompensated cirrhosis. Due to the increased prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection in the African American 1945 to 1965 birth cohort and the fact that both are risk factors for chronic liver disease and NHL we postulate that the incidence of NHL presenting as ACLF may increase.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B or C virus infections in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are not only hepatotropic, but also lymphotropic viruses. Recently, some reports suggested that these viruses may participate in the development of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of HCV or HBV infection in 348 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We also compared these prevalences with those in blood donors as a control group representing the general population in our area (n= 1,513,358). Next, we evaluated the clinical and pathologic characteristics of HCV- or HBV-infected NHL cases. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was classified according to the Working Formulation classification. RESULTS: Thirty-seven cases (14.9%) were found to be infected with HCV or HBV; of these, 20 (8.1%) were infected with HCV, and 17 (6.9%) with HBV. In male NHL patients, the rate of HCV infection was significantly higher than in an age- and sex-matched population in the same area (P < 0.001, Mantel-Haenszel test). The rate of HBV infection also tended to be higher in the population (P = 0.0551). In contrast, in female NHL patients, the rate of HCV or HBV infection was not higher than in the general population. In HCV-infected cases, 15 cases (75%) had B-cell NHL and 16 cases (80%) were classified as being in the intermediate grade; B-cell NHL comprised 83% of all NHL cases. In HBV-infected NHL cases, 11 (65%) were of B-cell type and 10 (58%) were classified as being in the intermediate grade. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of HCV or HBV infections in our study population provides epidemiologic evidence suggesting that HCV and HBV infections may be involved in the development of a subgroup of NHL in males. Our investigation also revealed that both HCV- and HBV-infected NHL patients showed certain similarities in clinical and pathologic manifestations.     

Hepatitis C virus-associated neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders:Advances in 2015

Since its identification in 1989, hepatitis C virus(HCV) has emerged as a worldwide health problem with roughly 185 million chronic infections, representing individuals at high risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer. In addition to being a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality due to liver disease, HCV has emerged as an important trigger of lymphoproliferative disorders, owing to its lymphotropism, and of a wide spectrum of extrahepatic manifestations(HCV-EHMs) affecting different organ systems. The most frequently observed HCV-EHMs include mixed cryoglobulinemia and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, nephropathies, thyreopathies, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and several neurological conditions. In addition, neuropsychiatric disorders and neurocognitive dysfunction are reported in nearly 50% of patients with chronic HCV infection, which are independent of the severity of liver disease or HCV replication rates. Fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression and reduced quality of life are commonly associated with neurocognitive alterations in patients with non-cirrhotic chronic HCV infection, regardless of the stage of liver fibrosis and the infecting genotype. These manifestations, which are the topic of this review, typically occur in the absence of structural brain damage or signal abnormalities on conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), although metabolic and microstructural changes can be detected by in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, perfusion-weighted and diffusion tensorMRI, and neurophysiological tests of cognitive processing. Several lines of evidence, including comparative and longitudinal neuropsychological assessments in patients achieving spontaneous or treatment-induced viral clearance, support a major pathogenic role for HCV in neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive disorders.     

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection and neurological and psychiatric disorders:An overview

Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is considered a systemic disease because of involvement of other organs and tissues concomitantly with liver disease.Among the extrahepatic manifestations,neuropsychiatric disorders have been reported in up to 50%of chronic HCV infected patients.Both the central and peripheral nervous system may be involved with a wide variety of clinical manifestations.Main HCV-associated neurological conditions include cerebrovascular events,encephalopathy,myelitis,encephalomyelitis,and cognitive impairment,whereas“brain fog”,depression,anxiety,and fatigue are at the top of the list of psychiatric disorders.Moreover,HCV infection is known to cause both motor and sensory peripheral neuropathy in the context of mixed cryoglobulinemia,and has also been recently recognized as an independent risk factor for stroke.These extrahepatic manifestations are independent of severity of the underlying chronic liver disease and hepatic encephalopathy.The brain is a suitable site for HCV replication,where the virus may directly exert neurotoxicity;other mechanisms proposed to explain the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders in chronic HCV infection include derangement of metabolic pathways of infected cells,alterations in neurotransmitter circuits,autoimmune disorders,and cerebral or systemic inflammation.A pathogenic role for HCV is also suggested by improvement of neurological and psychiatric symptoms in patients achieving a sustained virologic response following interferon treatment;however,further ad hoc trials are needed to fully assess the impact of HCV infection and specific antiviral treatments on associated neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Hepatitis C virus and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Pathogenesis,behavior and treatment

A significant association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and B-cell lymphoma has been reported by epidemiological studies, most of them describing a strong relationship between indolent lymphomas and HCV. Furthermore, the curative potential of antiviral therapy on HCV related indolent lymphomas supports a specific role for the virus in lymphomagenesis. These observations are reinforced by numerous laboratory experiments that led to several hypothetical models of B-cell transformation by HCV. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common lymphoma subtype in the western countries, has been associated to HCV infection despite its aggressive nature. This association seems particularly prominent in some geographical areas. Clinical presentation of HCV-associated DLBCL has consistently been reported to differ from the HCV-negative counterpart. Nevertheless, histopathology, tolerance to standard-of-care chemo-immunotherapy (R-CHOP or CHOP-like regimens) and final outcome of HCV-positive DLBCL patients is still matter of debate. Addition of rituximab has been described to enhance viral replication but the probability of severe hepatic complications remains low, with some exceptions (i.e., hepatitis B virus or immune immunodeficiency virus co-infected patients, presence of grade > 2 transaminases elevation, cirrhosis or hepatocarcinoma). HCV viral load in this setting is not necessarily directly associated with liver damage. Overall, treatment of HCV associated DLBCL should be performed in an interdisciplinary approach with hepatologists and hematologists with close monitoring of liver function. Available reports reveal that the final outcome of HCV-positive DLBCL that receive standard immunochemotherapy is not inferior to their HCV-negative counterpart. This review summarizes data on epidemiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic approach on HCV-associated DLBCL. Several issues that are matter of debate like clinical management of patients with transaminase elevation, criteria for discontinuing or starting immuno-chemotherapy, as well as the exact role of monoclonal antibodies will be analyzed.     

Hepatitis C virus infection in non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with immune-complex mediated disorders, including Type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia is itself a low-grade B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder which may progress to non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma (NHL). Studies from Europe and Asia have found a prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma patients as high as 34%. Other viral infections are also associated with non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma. We speculated that non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma patients in the midwestern USA would have an increased prevalence of hepatitis C infection. We tested 73 patients with NHL and 20 controls with Hodgkin‘s disease for anti-HCV antibodies by EIA-2. Only 1/73 patients and no control subject was positive for anti-HCV. The anti-HCV positive patient had no identifiable risk factors for hepatitis C, and ALT was persistently normal. HCV-RNA testing by RT-PCR was negative. Thus, none of 73 non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma patients could be confirmed to have hepatitis C infection. In a second part of the study, of 438 patients with HCV infection followed an average of 28.1 months, only one patient developed non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma. We conclude that in our population, non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma is not associated with hepatitis C virus infection. Based on these results and review of the literature, there are marked regional differences in the prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Non-Hodgkin‘s lymphoma.     

Hepatitis C virus and neurological damage

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection exhibits a wide range of extrahepatic complications, affecting various organs in the human body. Numerous HCV patients suffer neurological manifestations, ranging from cognitive impairment to peripheral neuropathy. Overexpression of the host immune response leads to the production of immune complexes, cryoglobulins, as well as autoantibodies, which is a major pathogenic mechanism responsible for nervous system dysfunction. Alternatively circulating inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and HCV replication in neurons is another factor that severely affects the nervous system. Furthermore, HCV infection causes both sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy in the mixed cryoglobulinemia as well as known as an important risk aspect for stroke. These extrahepatic manifestations are the reason behind underlying hepatic encephalopathy and chronic liver disease. The brain is an apt location for HCV replication, where the HCV virus may directly wield neurotoxicity. Other mechanisms that takes place by chronic HCV infection due the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders includes derangement of metabolic pathways of infected cells, autoimmune disorders, systemic or cerebral inflammation and alterations in neurotransmitter circuits. HCV and its pathogenic role is suggested by enhancement of psychiatric and neurological symptoms in patients attaining a sustained virologic response followed by treatment with interferon; however, further studies are required to fully assess the impact of HCV infection and its specific antiviral targets associated with neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Molecular Signatures of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Induced Type II Mixed Cryoglobulinemia (MCII)

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the induction of type II mixed cryoglobulinemia (MCII) and the possible establishment of related lymphoproliferative disorders, such as B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), is well ascertained. However, the molecular pathways involved and the factors predisposing to the development of these HCV-related extrahepatic complications deserve further consideration and clarification. To date, several host- and virus-related factors have been implicated in the progression to MCII, such as the virus-induced expansion of selected subsets of B-cell clones expressing discrete immunoglobulin variable (IgV) gene subfamilies, the involvement of complement factors and the specific role of some HCV proteins. In this review, we will analyze the host and viral factors taking part in the development of MCII in order to give a general outlook of the molecular mechanisms implicated.     

Antiviral therapy of hepatitis C as curative treatment of indolent B-cell lymphoma

The association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) has been highlighted by several epidemiological and biological insights; however the most convincing evidence is represented by interventional studies demonstrating the capability of antiviral treatment (AT) with interferon (IFN) with or without ribavirin to induce the regression of indolent lymphomas, especially of marginal-zone origin. In the largest published retrospective study (100 patients) the overall response rate (ORR) after first-line IFN-based AT was 77% (44% complete responses) and responses were sustainable (median duration of response 33 mo). These results were confirmed by a recent meta-analysis on 254 patients, demonstrating an ORR of 73%. Moreover this analysis confirmed the highly significant correlation between the achievement of viral eradication sustained virological response (SVR) and hematological responses. Two large prospective studies demonstrated that AT is associated with improved survival and argue in favor of current guidelines’ recommendation of AT as preferential first-line option in asymptomatic patients with HCV-associated indolent NHL. The recently approved direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) revolutionized the treatment of HCV infection, leading to SVR approaching 100% in all genotypes. Very preliminary data of IFN-free DAAs therapy in indolent HCV-positive NHL seem to confirm their activity in inducing lymphoma regression.     

Hepatitis C and double-hit B cell lymphoma successfully treated by antiviral therapy

B cells lymphoma is one of the most challenging extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus(HCV). Recently, a new kind of B-cell lymphoma, named doublehit B(DHL), was characterized with an aggressive clinical course whereas a potential association with HCV was not investigated. The new antiviral direct agents(DAAs) against HCV are effective and curative in the majority of HCV infections. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of DHL and HCV-infection successfully treated by new DAAs. According to our experience, a DHL must be suspected in case of HCV-related lymphoma, and an early diagnosis could direct towards a different hematological management because a worse prognosis might be expected. A possible effect of DAAs on DHL regression should be investigated, but eradicating HCV would avoid life-threatening reactivation of viral hepatitis during pharmacological immunosuppression in oncohaematological diseases.     

Acute hepatic failure due to hepatosplenic B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient infected with hepatitis C virus

We report a 75-year-old Japanese man infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who died of acute hepatic failure due to the hepatic infiltration of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cells. He suddenly developed jaundice, fatigue, fever, and hepatosplenomegaly during the course of chronic infection with HCV. Postmortem liver necropsy revealed extensive infiltration of lymphoma cells into the liver. Although the association between HCV infection and NHL has recently become a matter of concern, we believe this to be the first reported case of acute hepatic failure caused by hepatic involvement of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in an HCV-infected patient. (Received Jan. 12, 1998; accepted June 26, 1998)     

The B-cell receptor of a hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma binds the viral E2 envelope protein, implicating HCV in lymphomagenesis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with extrahepatic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. To determine whether a viral antigen drives this B-cell expansion, the B-cell receptors were cloned from HCV-associated lymphomas and were expressed as soluble immunoglobulins. The rescued immunoglobulins were then tested for their ability to bind the HCV-E2 envelope glycoprotein, an antigen that was previously implicated in the pathogenesis of HCV-associated B-cell diseases. One of 2 lymphoma immunoglobulin test cases bound the E2 protein in a manner identical to a bona fide human anti-E2 antibody. Moreover, it bound E2 from multiple viral genotypes, suggesting reactivity with a conserved E2 epitope. These findings support the hypothesis that some HCV-associated lymphomas originate from B cells that were initially activated by the HCV-E2 protein and might explain the association between HCV infection and some B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.     

Neurological and psychiatric effects of hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is widespread and affects 71 million people worldwide. Although hepatic manifestations are the most frequent, ranging from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, it is also associated with several extrahepatic manifestations. Infected patients may present non-specific neurological symptoms, regardless of the presence of liver cirrhosis. Several pathogenetic mechanisms underlying neurological symptoms have been hypothesized: neuroinvasion, immune-mediated damage, neurotransmitter alterations and cryoglobulinemia. Alterations of the central nervous system include cerebral vasculopathy, acute or subacute encephalopathy and inflammatory disorders. HCV infection may be responsible for neuropathies, of which the most frequent form is symmetrical axonal sensory or sensory-motor polyneuropathy which causes loss of leg sensitivity and weakness. Up to 50% of patients with HCV infection may experience cognitive decline and psychological disorders, such as depression and fatigue. HCV associated neurocognitive disorder is independent of the presence of liver cirrhosis and affects different domains than in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. It can be studied using specific tests that mainly explore executive functions, verbal learning and verbal recall. These disorders significantly reduce the quality of life. The new antiviral therapies improve the extrahepatic symptoms of HCV infection and their success depends on the achievement of sustained virological response. However, the effect of therapy may differ depending on the type of organ involved; neurological symptoms can be irreversible if there is organic liver damage. The aim of this review is to provide a critical overview of physiopathological mechanisms, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of the neurological and psychiatric effects of HCV infection.     

肝炎病毒感染与胰岛素抵抗

肝炎病毒慢性持续感染主要是由乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)和丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)所致, 除了引起肝脏损害外, 还与一些肝外组织的损害密切相关. 近年来, 研究资料显示慢性HCV和HBV感染与糖尿病和脂肪肝等代谢性疾病的发病密切相关, 而胰岛素抵抗(IR)可能是其发病机制的中心环节. IR也是肝纤维化进展的相关因素, 并影响慢性肝炎病毒感染时抗病毒治疗的疗效. 此外, 糖尿病还可能增加肝炎病毒致癌的作用, 应该引起肝病医师的高度重视. 本文就近年来对HCV和HBV感染中IR发生机制方面的研究, IR在HCV和HBV感染相关的糖尿病和脂肪肝中的作用和影响及其对临床的指导意义作一述评.