A Review of KSHV/HHV8-Associated Neoplasms and Related Lymphoproliferative Lesions

There has been extensive research on the KSHV/HHV8 virus, which has led to a better understanding of viral transmission, pathogenesis, viral-driven lymphoid proliferation, neoplastic transformation, and how we might combat these processes clinically. On an extensive review of the literature, only two true KSHV/HHV8-positive lymphoid neoplasms are described: primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), which can also present as solid or extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma (EC-PEL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Two lymphoproliferative disorders have also been described, and while they are not true monotypic neoplasms, these lesions can transform into neoplasms: KSHV/HHV8-positive germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder (GLPD) and multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). This review provides a somewhat concise overview of information related to KSHV/HHV8-positive lymphoid neoplasms and pertinent associated lymphoproliferative lesions.