What is the significance of CCR5 status in HIV-associated non-Nodgkin lymphoma (NHL)?

e18542 Background: The chemokine receptor CCR5 is a co-receptor for HIV. Carriers of the delta 32 gene (D32) mutation who lack CCR5 are protected from HIV infection by the R5 variant of the virus. Heterozygotes have slower progression to AIDS. For HIV NHL patients, the effects of the presence of the gene mutation are unclear. Methods: 93samples obtained from the ASCR (AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource ) tissue bank of patients with HIV NHL were assayed for the presence of the mutation. We then studied if there was an association with the mutation and subtype of diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (germinal center GC vs non GC), EBV status, or cell activation markers. Date of NHL diagnosis was from 1989 to 2005. Samples predating 1996 were characterized as pre HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) and all others post HAART. Results: There were 87 DLBCL, 3 plasmablastic lymphoma, 2 plasmacytoma and 1 anaplastic large cell T-cell subtype. Of the DLBCL, 48 were GC subtype and 39 were non GC subtype. GC...