EBV+ lymphoproliferative diseases: opportunities for leveraging EBV as a therapeutic target

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human tumor virus, which contributes to the development of lymphoproliferative disease, most notably in patients with impaired immunity. EBV-associated lymphoproliferation is characterized by expression of latent EBV proteins and ranges in severity from a relatively benign proliferative response to aggressive malignant lymphomas. The presence of EBV can also serve as a unique target for directed therapies for the treatment of EBV lymphoproliferative diseases, including T cell–based immune therapies. In this review, we describe the EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases and particularly focus on the therapies that target EBV.