Do MYC Alterations Matter in HIV-Associated Large B Cell Lymphomas? the “Euromyc” Study (a European retrospective study)

Introduction: In the general HIV negative population, patients (pts) with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or high grade B cell lymphoma (HGBCL) carrying MYC rearrangements and BCL2 and/or BCL-6 translocations [double hit (DHL) or triple hit lymphomas (THL)] have shown a dismal prognosis when treated with standard R-CHOP and are frequently candidates to intensive therapeutic regimens, without having a standard of care. Moreover, several authors have demonstrated a negative prognostic impact of isolated MYC rearrangements [single hit lymphomas (SHL)] and the best therapeutic approach for SHL are even less clear. In HIV-associated “non Burkitt” large B cell lymphomas (Ly), scanty data are available on the prevalence and the clinical and prognostic impact of MYC rearrangements, with or without BCL2 and BCL6 concomitant translocations. Due to the peculiar biology and pathogenesis of HIV-associated Ly, data from HIV negative population cannot be simply translated to the HIV positive pts.