Epstein-Barr virus: evasive maneuvers in the development of PTLD

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to approximately 90% of B-cell lymphomas associated with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), a serious complication for immunosuppressed transplant recipients. In this paper, we review the myriad ways by which EBV can inadvertently drive the genesis and persistence of B-cell lymphomas, particularly when the antiviral immune response is compromised. Probing the basic mechanisms by which EBV infection proceeds and contributes to malignancy in such cases will hopefully improve our understanding and treatment of PTLD and other EBV-associated malignancies.