Hodgkin lymphoma: the role of EBV plasma viral load testing in an HIV-endemic setting

South Africa has a high burden of human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) which is typically Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infected, detected by histological stains. Circulating plasma EBV derived from apoptotic EBV infected tumour cells is a potential biomarker. This study aimed to evaluate the role of plasma EBV load testing in newly diagnosed HL patients and correlate pretreatment plasma EBV levels, HIV status and EBV tumour status with overall survival (OS). Untreated HL patients were prospectively included. Polymerase chain reaction measured EBV plasma viral loads. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests estimated the impact of HIV, EBV tumour status and plasma EBV viral loads on OS. Multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Receiver operative characteristic curve analysis determined cutoff plasma EBV DNA levels with optimal sensitivity, specificity and concordance with tumour EBV status. The 68 patients included 21 (31%) HIV +ve and 33 (49%) EBV tumour +ve. EBV plasma ≥ 10 000 IU/ml (P = 0.008), EBV +ve tumour (P = 0.014), HIV +ve status (P = 0.009) and age ≥ 45 years (P = 0.018) predicted poorer OS on univariate analysis. Plasma EBV levels > 762 IU/ml had 89.29% sensitivity and 96.77% specificity for detecting EBV +ve HL. High plasma EBV levels ≥ 10 000 IU/ml, HIV +ve status and EBV tumour +ve status predicted poorer OS. Plasma EBV levels > 762 IU/ml predicted EBV +ve tumour status with high sensitivity and specificity. Plasma EBV viral DNA testing is a promising biomarker for EBV +ve HL.