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Association of a Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpes Virus gene with B cell Lymphoma Provides Possible Clues for Therapy

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Research showing how Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) induced a pre-lymphoma condition, and in some cases true lymphoma in mice, represents a major breakthrough in understanding the genesis of this particular type of blood cancer.

The findings are featured as the cover story in march, 2006 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The research was led by Dirk Dittmer, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Dr. Dittmer's work shows that a particular viral gene in the KSHV caused the pre-malignant and malignant changes, further suggesting that this gene might be a novel disease marker and a valid target for anti-lymphoma therapy. Because only the cancer cells carry the virus, one or more of the existing anti-viral therapies might help patients with this particular type of B cell lymphoma, and specific gene tests might be used to predict if patients with virally-associated lymphomas will benefit from treatment with anti-viral drugs.

Dr. Dittmer is a recipient of a Translational Research Grant from the Society, a program that supports outstanding investigative research showing strong promise of translating basic biomedical knowledge into new and better treatments for blood cancers. The program's goal is to accelerate the transfer of findings from the laboratory to clinical application, ultimately prolonging and enhancing patients' lives.

"The goal of the Translational Research Program is to provide researchers with the resources to advance diagnosis, prevention or treatment of blood cancers in the near term," said Marshall Lichtman, M.D., executive vice president, Research & Medical Programs. "Dr. Dittmer's research may lead to earlier diagnosis, potentially prevention and provide the insights to develop a better treatment for a particular group of lymphoma patients."

Dr. Dittmer said that the Society's support was fundamental in moving his research forward.

"I am truly grateful to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for having confidence in my work and providing me with this funding," said Dr. Dittmer. "I am hopeful that our work studying how herpes viruses alter normal immune cells in biology to create malignancies will help determine whether certain lymphoma patients might respond to anti-viral therapy."

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 66 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $424 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 2.5 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

This is an open-access article

 Download PDF

If the document does not open, please right-click on the link (control-click on a Macintosh) and select the option to save the file to disk.