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Simple Summary Patients with HIV are at high risk of developing Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is potentially due to alterations in blood circulating B-lymphocytes and their activating cytokines. We analyzed the distribution of circulating B-lymphocytes and the level of the activating cytokines IL6, IL10 and BAFF in 38 patients with HIV-related Hodgkin’s lymphoma during a 2-year follow-up. We also compared their characteristics at diagnosis with (1) pre-diagnosis serum samples and (2) samples from control HIV-infected subjects without lymphoma. We found an increase in activating cytokines in cases compared to controls. The level of activating cytokines increased in advanced lymphoma. It decreased over time during follow-up. B-lymphocytic count was similar between patients and controls, but their subset distribution differed. There was an overrepresentation of naive B-lymphocytes over memory B-lymphocytes in HIV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma patients, more pronounced in those with advanced lymphoma. Follow-up showed an increase in B-lymphocytic count with an even greater proportion of naive B-cells. Together this suggests that in HIV-infected patients, Hodgkin lymphoma is associated with an altered blood distribution of B-lymphocytic subsets and an increased production of activating cytokines. This environment may contribute to the process of tumorigenesis. Abstract Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma incidence increases in HIV-1-infected patients (HIV-cHL). HIV infection is associated with higher B-cell activation. Here, in 38 HIV-cHL patients from the French cohort ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir, we examined longitudinally over 24 months the serum levels of the B-cell activating cytokines IL10, IL6, and BAFF, and blood distribution of B-cell subsets. Fourteen HIV-cHL patients were also compared to matched HIV-infected controls without cHL. IL10, IL6, and BAFF levels were higher in HIV-cHL patients than in controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Cytokine levels increased in patients with advanced-stage lymphoma compared to those with limited-stage (p = 0.002, p = 0.03, and p = 0.01, respectively). Cytokine levels significantly decreased following HIV-cHL diagnosis and treatment. Blood counts of whole B-cells were similar in HIV-cHL patients and controls, but the distribution of B-cell subsets was different with higher ratios of naive B-cells over memory B-cells in HIV-cHL patients. Blood accumulation of naive B-cells was more marked in patients with advanced cHL stages (p = 0.06). During the follow-up, total B-cell counts increased (p < 0.0001), and the proportion of naive B-cells increased further (p = 0.04). Together the results suggest that in HIV-infected patients, cHL is associated with a particular B-cell-related environment that includes increased production of B-cell-activating cytokines and altered peripheral distribution of B-cell subsets. This B-cell-related environment may fuel the process of tumorigenesis.

BK-virus-associated nephropathy (BKvAN) is a major complication in kidney transplant recipients, associated with a higher level of BK-virus (BKv) replication and leading to poor graft survival. In a large cohort of kidney transplant recipients with various BKv reactivation levels, we found that BKvAN was associated with a low BKv-specific memory CD8 T-cell functionality and an exhausted-like phenotype. This severe lymphocyte impairment was associated with a low level of class II HLA mismatches. In vitro experiments showed that allogeneic CD4 T cells partly restored BKv-specific memory CD8 T-cell responses. Our results suggest that in kidney transplant recipient, allogeneic CD4 T cells may provide a heterospecific help that maintain an effective BKv-specific memory CD8 T-cell response, and allows a better control of BKv replication in the kidney graft.

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma incidence increases in HIV-1-infected patients (HIV-cHL). HIV infection is associated with higher B-cell activation. Here, in 38 HIV-cHL patients from the French cohort ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir, we examined longitudinally over 24 months the serum levels of the B-cell activating cytokines IL10, IL6, and BAFF, and blood distribution of B-cell subsets. Fourteen HIV-cHL patients were also compared to matched HIV-infected controls without cHL. IL10, IL6, and BAFF levels were higher in HIV-cHL patients than in controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Cytokine levels increased in patients with advanced-stage lymphoma compared to those with limited-stage (p = 0.002, p = 0.03, and p = 0.01, respectively). Cytokine levels significantly decreased following HIV-cHL diagnosis and treatment. Blood counts of whole B-cells were similar in HIV-cHL patients and controls, but the distribution of B-cell subsets was different with higher ratios of naive B-cells over memory B-cells in HIV-cHL patients. Blood accumulation of naive B-cells was more marked in patients with advanced cHL stages (p = 0.06). During the follow-up, total B-cell counts increased (p < 0.0001), and the proportion of naive B-cells increased further (p = 0.04). Together the results suggest that in HIV-infected patients, cHL is associated with a particular B-cell-related environment that includes increased production of B-cell-activating cytokines and altered peripheral distribution of B-cell subsets. This B-cell-related environment may fuel the process of tumorigenesis.

International audience; Objectives: The value of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) biomarkers on the prognosis of HIV-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been poorly explored in the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. Design: We evaluated EBV DNA load and EBV antibodies in HIV-NHL patients enrolled in the French ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir Cohort between 2008 and 2015. Methods: Whole blood and plasma EBV DNA load and serological profiles were analyzed in 76 HIV-infected patients at diagnosis of NHL and 6 months after the initiation of chemotherapy. Results: Prechemotherapy whole blood (WB) and plasma EBV DNA loads were positive for 80 and 45% of HIV-NHL patients, respectively. Pretreatment WB EBV DNA positivity was associated with a positive plasma HIV-1 RNA load (relative risk (RR), 4.42 [1.33; 14.72]) and plasma EBV DNA positivity with EBV in situ detection (RR 10.62 [2.38; 47.49]). Following chemotherapy, the proportions of patients with positive WB or plasma EBV DNA declined from 81 to 23% (P < 0.0001) and from 43 to 8% (P < 0.0001), respectively. Estimated 2-year progression-free survival did not differ according to prechemotherapy WB positivity (82% versus 67%, P = 0.15) or plasma EBV DNA positivity (76% versus 81%, P = 0.52). Conclusions: The plasma EBV DNA load correlates with in situ EBV detection. The WB EBV DNA load correlates with HIV load. WB and plasma EBV DNA loads at NHL diagnosis do not constitute prognostic markers for HIV-NHL patients in the modern cART era.

International audience; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare demyelinating disorder of the brain caused by reactivation of the JC virus (JCV), a polyomavirus that infects at least 60% of the population but is asymptomatic or results in benign symptoms in most people. PML occurs as a secondary disease in a variety of disorders or as a serious adverse event from immunosuppressant agents, but is mainly found in three groups: HIV-infected patients, patients with hematological malignancies, or multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on the immunosuppressant therapy natalizumab. It is severely debilitating and is deadly in ~50% HIV cases, ~90% of hematological malignancy cases, and ~24% of MS-natalizumab cases. A PML risk prediction test would have clinical utility in all at risk patient groups but would be particularly beneficial in patients considering therapy with immunosuppressant agents known to cause PML, such as natalizumab, rituximab, and others. While a JC antibody test is currently used in the clinical decision process for natalizumab, it is suboptimal because of its low specificity and requirement to periodically retest patients for seroconversion or to assess if a patient's JCV index has increased. Whereas a high specificity genetic risk prediction test comprising host genetic risk variants (i.e., germline variants occurring at higher frequency in PML patients compared to the general population) could be administered one time to provide clinicians with additional risk prediction information that is independent of JCV serostatus. Prior PML case reports support the hypothesis that PML risk is greater in patients with a genetically caused immunodeficiency disorder. To identify germline PML risk variants, we performed exome sequencing on 185 PML cases (70 in a discovery cohort and 115 in a replication cohort) and used the gnomAD variant database for interpretation. Our study yielded 19 rare variants (maximum allele frequency of 0.02 in gnomAD ethnically matched populations) that impact 17 immune function genes (10 are known to cause inborn errors of immunity). Modeling of these variants in a PML genetic risk test for MS patients considering natalizumab treatment indicates that at least a quarter of PML cases may be preventable.

Objective Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are associated with increased risks of lymphomas in the non-HIV setting. Their impacts on HIV-associated lymphomas deserved further studies in the modern combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. Design We evaluated the associations between HCV, HBV and HIV-related lymphomas in the Lymphovir-ANRS-CO16 cohort. Methods Prevalence of HCV seropositivity and chronic HBV infections were compared with those observed in the French Hospital Database on HIV (FHDH-ANRS-CO4). Results Between 2008 and 2015, 179 patients with HIV-related lymphomas from 32 French hospitals were enrolled, 69 had Hodgkin's lymphoma (39%), and 110 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (61%). The prevalence of HCV infection was higher in patients with NHL than in the FHDH-ANRS-CO4 [26 versus 14%, odd ratio (OR): 2.15; 95% confidence interval (1.35-3.32)] whereas there was no association between Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic HCV infection. Chronic HBV infection was not associated with NHL in our cohort with a prevalence of 5 versus 7% in FHDH-ANRS-CO4 but tended to be associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma [prevalence of 14%, OR: 2.16 (0.98-4.27)]. Chronic HCV infection tended to pejoratively impact 2-year overall survival in patients with NHL: 72% [57%, 91%] versus 82% [74%, 91%], hazard ratio: 2.14 [0.95-4.84]. In contrast, chronic HBV infection did not correlate with outcome. Conclusion In the modern cART era, chronic HCV infection is associated with an increased risk of NHL in PLWHIV and tends to pejoratively impact overall survival. HBV infection is not associated with the risk of NHL but with a borderline increase of Hodgkin's lymphoma risk.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in lymphomagenesis of HIV-related classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HIV-cHL). The utility of EBV molecular and serological biomarkers has scarcely been examined in HIV-cHL in the recent combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era.We evaluated EBV DNA load and a panel of EBV antibodies in HIV-cHL patients prospectively enrolled in the French ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir cohort between 2008 and 2015.Pretreatment whole blood, plasma EBV DNA load and serological profiles were analysed in 63 HIV-infected patients diagnosed with cHL. For the 42 patients with available material, comparisons were performed between values at diagnosis and 6 months after the initiation of chemotherapy.Pretreatment whole blood and plasma EBV DNA loads were positive in 84 and 59% of HIV-cHL patients, respectively. Two-year progression-free survival estimates did not differ between the patients with pretreatment whole blood (n = 53) or plasma (n = 37) EBV DNA(+) and the patients with pretreatment whole blood (n = 10) or plasma (n = 26) EBV DNA(-) (92 vs. 80% or 89 vs. 92%, P = 0.36 and 0.47, respectively). At diagnosis, 47% of patients harboured an EBV reactivation serological profile. Following chemotherapy, whole blood and plasma EBV DNA levels significantly declined from medians of 1570 [interquartile range, 230-3760) and 73 (0-320) copies/ml to 690 (0-1830) and 0 (0-0) copies/ml, respectively (P = 0.02 and P 0.0001, respectively]. Anti-EBV IgG antibody level significantly dropped at 6-month follow-up (P = 0.004).Whole blood and plasma EBV DNA loads do not constitute prognostic markers in HIV-cHL patients in the modern cART era.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with a high risk of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) in the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. METHODS We analyzed the characteristics and outcome of HIV-associated cHL diagnosed in the modern cART era. The French ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir cohort enrolled 159 HIV-positive patients with lymphoma, including 68 (43%) with cHL. HIV-HL patients were compared with a series of non-HV-infected patients consecutively diagnosed with HL. RESULTS Most patients (76%) had Ann-Arbor stages III-IV and 96% of patients were treated with ABVD. At diagnosis, median CD4 T-cell count was 387/µL and 94% of patients were treated with cART. All patients received cART after diagnosis. Five patients died from early progression (n = 2), sepsis (1) or after relapse (2). Two additional patients relapsed during follow-up. Two-year overall and progression free survivals (PFS) were 94% [95% CI, 89%, 100%] and 89% [82%, 97%], respectively. The only factor associated with progression or death was age with a relative risk of 8.1 [1.0; 67.0] above 45 years. The PFS of Lymphovir patients appeared similar to PFS of HIV-negative patients, 86% [82%, 90%], but patients with HIV infection displayed higher risk features than HIV-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS Although high-risk features still predominate in HIV-HL, the prognosis of these patients, treated with cART and mainly ABVD, has markedly improved in the modern cART era and is now similar to non-HIV-infected patients.

International audience; Objective: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) remains among the most frequent malignancies in persons living with HIV (PLWHIV). Survival among patients with HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most frequent NHL subtype, has improved markedly in recent years. We aimed to analyze characteristics and outcomes of DLBCL in HIV-infected patients in the era of modern combined antiretroviral therapy (cART).Design: PLWHIV with lymphoma were prospectively enrolled in the French ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir cohort between 2008 and 2015. We compared the patients treated with R-CHOP) (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vin-cristine, prednisolone) with HIV-negative DLBCL patients enrolled simultaneously in the R-CHOP arms of Lymphoma Study Association trials.Results: Among 110 PLWHIV with NHL, 52 (47%) had systemic DLBCL. These 52 cases had frequent extranodal disease (81%), poor performance status (35%) and advanced age-adjusted international prognostic index (aaIPI) (58%), and were mainly treated with R-CHOP (n = 44, 85%). Their median CD4(+) T-cell count was 233 cells/mu l, and 79% of patients were on cART. The 2-year overall and progression-free survival rates were both 75% (95% confidence interval: 64%, 88%). Factors associated with progression or death in univariate analysis were poor performance status [hazard ratio: 3.3 (1.2, 8.9)], more than one extranodal site [hazard ratio: 3.4 (1.1, 10.5)] and an advanced aaIPI [hazard ratio: 3.7 (1.0, 13.1)]. Progression-free survival after R-CHOP therapy did not differ from that of the HIV-negative counterparts (P = 0.11).Conclusion: In the recent cART era, despite frequent high-risk features, the 2-year overall survival of HIV-DLBCL patients reaches 75%. Outcomes after R-CHOP therapy are similar to those of HIV-negative patients with similar aaIPI. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a deadly demyelinating disease due to central nervous system replication of the human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) in immunosuppressed patients. The only effective therapeutic approach is to restore anti-JCV T-cell responses. In this study, we describe a case of rapidly fatal PML with JCV T-cell anergy in a renal transplant patient treated with CTLA4-Ig (belatacept, a CD28-B7 costimulation blocker and T-cell anergy inducer). T-cell anergy could not be reversed despite several therapeutic approaches. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy secondary to biotherapy-induced T-cell anergy may thus represent a subset of PML with major resistance to anti-JCV immune recovery.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL). Antiviral treatment (AT) can induce hematological responses in patients with marginal zone lymphomas (MZL). The ANRS HC-13 Lympho-C study aimed at a better understanding of the impact of AT on HCV associated B-NHL. This multicentric study enrolled 116 HCV-positive patients with B-NHL between 2006 and 2012. Cytological and histological samples were collected for centralized review. At lymphoma diagnosis, median age was 61 years and gender ratio M/F was 1. Cytohistological distribution was marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) n = 45 (39%), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) n = 45 (39%), and other types n = 26 (22%). MZL patients had more frequent detection of rheumatoid factor (68% vs. 35%; P = 0.001) and more frequently mixed cryoglobulinemia (74% vs. 44%; P = 0.021) than patients with DLBCL. Among patients receiving AT, a sustained virologic response was achieved in 23 of 38 (61%) patients with MZL and in 9 of 17 (53%) with DLBCL (P = 0.42). Three-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were 78% 95%CI [63-88] and 64% [48-76], respectively, without difference between cytohistological groups. Outcome analysis showed a favorable association between OS and AT in all patients (P = 0.05) and in the subgroup of MZL patients only (P = 0.04). Our data support that AT improves the outcomes of HCV-associated NHLs. The impact of new AT regimen with protease inhibitor needs to be investigated in this setting. [clinicalTrials.gov Identification number NCT01545544]

Objective To identify a molecular signature that could be predictive of the clinical response to rituximab (RTX) and elucidate the transcriptomic changes after RTX therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with the use of whole-blood transcriptomic profiling. Methods A microarray assay of the whole human genome was performed using RNA from peripheral blood samples obtained before the first cycle of RTX from 68 patients with RA in the SMART study. The transcriptomic profile was also assessed 24 weeks after the first administration of RTX (among 24 nonresponders and 44 responders, according to the European League Against Rheumatism response criteria at week 24). Ingenuity Interactive Pathways Analysis was used to identify molecular pathways that were modified by RTX therapy according to the clinical response. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm the microarray results. Results In total, 198 genes showed significant baseline differential expression between patient groups according to their subsequent response to RTX (good or moderate responder versus nonresponder). This molecular signature could be reduced to 143 genes, which allowed for correctly classifying 89% of the patients by their EULAR response status at week 24, with 93% identification of responders and 100% identification of nonresponders. The signature for response featured up-regulation of inflammatory genes centered on NF-κB, including IL33 and STAT5A, and down-regulation of the interferon pathway. As expected, at week 24 post–RTX therapy, genes involved in the development and functions of B cells were the genes most strongly down-regulated, without any difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion Whole-blood transcriptomic analyses may accurately identify patients with RA who will not respond to RTX therapy. These findings could open new perspectives on the clinical management of RA.

Objective Migration of B cells from peripheral blood to the synovium in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may predict clinical response to rituximab (RTX). We undertook this study to investigate whether serum levels of chemokines involved in B cell trafficking are correlated with blood levels of memory B cells or serum levels of B cell activation biomarkers before B cell depletion and whether chemokine levels predict RTX responsiveness. Methods Blood B cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry (CD27, IgD), and serum B cell activation biomarkers (rheumatoid factor, anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide, free light chains, IgG, IgA, IgM, and BAFF) were measured in 208 RA patients and 70 control subjects. Serum CCL19, CXCL12, and CXCL13 chemokine levels in patients and controls were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The first course of RTX was administered to RA patients, and the response was evaluated at week 24 according to European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria. Results were expressed as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results Levels of all chemokines were increased in RA patients compared with controls, and levels were inversely correlated with CD27+ memory B cell frequency. CCL19 and CXCL13 levels correlated with levels of 6 serum B cell biomarkers and 4 serum B cell biomarkers, respectively. By univariate analysis, the CCL19 level was positively associated with EULAR response (OR 1.43 [95% CI 1.08–1.90], P = 0.01). By multivariate analysis, the CCL19 level was predictive of a response to RTX (OR 1.48 [95% CI 1.06–2.06], P = 0.02), but this did not persist after adjustment for autoantibody status. Conclusion CXCL13 and CCL19 reflect blood B cell disturbances and their levels correlate with those of other serum B cell biomarkers. CXCL13 and CCL19 are, therefore, surrogate measures for serum B cell biomarkers in RA. Serum CCL19 measurement is a new hallmark of the B cell–mediated RA subtype and may predict clinical response to RTX.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequent among HIV-infected patients. We describe, the characteristics of 6 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) included in a prospective cohort study of HIV-related lymphomas. Five of the 6 cases had features of marginal zone/lymphoplasmacytic NHL versus 1 of 33 HIV only-infected patients. Remarkably, anti-HCV treatment led to a hematological response in a patient with splenic marginal zone lymphoma. This supports the role of chronic antigenic stimulation by HCV on lymphomagenesis and further evaluation of HCV antiviral therapy in coinfected patients with NHL.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is the main adverse effect of natalizumab. Detectable JC virus-specific effector memory T-cell (TEM) responses may indicate ongoing JCV replication. We detected JCV-specific TEM responses in blood of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with natalizumab, including 2 patients with PML. The frequency of detection of these responses increased with the time on natalizumab. Thus, a subset of MS patients exhibit immunological hallmarks of JCV replication during prolonged natalizumab therapy.

Baseline characteristics of RA patients from Clermont and from Leeds. (DOC 33 kb)

International audience; Background: Recent works have suggested a possible link between interleukin (IL)-33 and B-cell biology. We aimed to study the possible association between serum IL-33 detection and response to rituximab (RTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in different cohorts with an accurate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Methods: Serum IL-33, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and high serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels were assessed in 111 RA patients receiving a first course of 2 g RTX (cohort 1) in an observational study and in 74 RA patients treated with the same schedule in routine care (cohort 2). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with a European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response at 24 weeks.Results: At week 24, 84/111 (76%) and 54/74 (73%) patients reached EULAR response in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. Serum IL-33 was detectable in only 33.5% of the patients. In the combined cohorts, the presence of RF or anti-CCP (odds ratio (OR) 3.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–9.46; p = 0.03), high serum IgG (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.01–5.33; p = 0.048), and detectable serum IL-33 (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.01–5.72; p = 0.047) were all associated with RTX response in multivariate analysis. The combination of these three factors increased the likelihood of response to RTX. When serum IL-33 detection was added to seropositivity and serum IgG level, 100% of the patients with the three risk factors (corresponding to 9% of the population) responded to RTX (OR versus patients with none of the three risk factors 29.61, 95% CI 1.30–674.79; p = 0.034).Conclusion: Detectable serum IL-33 may predict clinical response to RTX independently of, and synergistically with, auto-antibodies and serum IgG level.

International audience; Background: Antiretroviral combination therapy raises issues of long-term adherence and toxicity. Initial treatment simplification based on single-drug therapy was investigated in the MONARK trial, which compared first-line lopinavir/ritonavir monotherapy (arm A) with first-line lopinavir/ritonavir + zidovudine/lamivudine tritherapy (arm B). The MONARK trial is registered as a randomized trial at clinical trials.gov under identifier NCT 00234923.Patients and methods: Immune recovery was compared in patients with undetectable plasma virus (

International audience; Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL). Antiviral treatment (AT) can induce hematological responses in patients with marginal zone lymphomas (MZL). The ANRS HC-13 Lympho-C study aimed at a better understanding of the impact of AT on HCV associated B-NHL. This multicentric study enrolled 116 HCV-positive patients with B-NHL between 2006 and 2012. Cytological and histological samples were collected for centralized review. At lymphoma diagnosis, median age was 61 years and gender ratio M/F was 1. Cytohistological distribution was marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) n = 45 (39%), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) n = 45 (39%), and other types n = 26 (22%). MZL patients had more frequent detection of rheumatoid factor (68% vs. 35%; P = 0.001) and more frequently mixed cryoglobulinemia (74% vs. 44%; P = 0.021) than patients with DLBCL. Among patients receiving AT, a sustained virologic response was achieved in 23 of 38 (61%) patients with MZL and in 9 of 17 (53%) with DLBCL (P = 0.42). Three-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were 78% 95%CI [63-88] and 64% [48-76], respectively, without difference between cytohistological groups. Outcome analysis showed a favorable association between OS and AT in all patients (P = 0.05) and in the subgroup of MZL patients only (P = 0.04). Our data support that AT improves the outcomes of HCV-associated NHLs. The impact of new AT regimen with protease inhibitor needs to be investigated in this setting. [clinicalTrials.gov Identification number NCT01545544]

In patients who are receiving prolonged antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV can persist within a small pool of long-lived resting memory CD4+ T cells infected with integrated latent virus. This latent reservoir involves distinct memory subsets. Here we provide results that suggest a progressive reduction of the size of the blood latent reservoir around a core of less-differentiated memory subsets (central memory and stem cell-like memory (TSCM) CD4+ T cells). This process appears to be driven by the differences in initial sizes and decay rates between latently infected memory subsets. Our results also suggest an extreme stability of the TSCM sub-reservoir, the size of which is directly related to cumulative plasma virus exposure before the onset of ART, stressing the importance of early initiation of effective ART. The presence of these intrinsic dynamics within the latent reservoir may have implications for the design of optimal HIV therapeutic purging strategies., HIV can persist in CD4+ T cells of patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy. Here the authors show the presence of intrinsic dynamics that progressively contract the latent HIV reservoir around a core of less-differentiated CD4 T-cell memory subsets.

In this study, we report the case of a patient with profound lymphopenia after allogenic bone marrow transplantation who developed severe progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Single-agent recombinant human interleukin-7 therapy was associated with restoration of anti-John Cunningham polyomavirus (JCV) T-cell responses, JCV clearance from cerebrospinal fluid, and a dramatic clinical improvement.

Objective. To examine blood B cell subsets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prior to B cell depletion therapy and to assess their potential as predictors of clinical response to rituximab (RTX). Methods. Blood B cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry in 208 RA patients included in an RTX retreatment study (assessed prior to RTX treatment) and in 47 age-matched controls. Expression of BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) on B cells and serum B cell biomarkers was also measured. B cell subsets and BAFF-R expression were compared between RA patient and control populations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify baseline factors associated with a European League Against Rheumatism response 24 weeks after 1 cycle of RTX. Results. Mean SD counts of both CD27 naive and CD27 memory B cells were decreased in RA patients (188.6 121.4/mm 3 ) compared with controls (257.3 154.1/mm 3 )( P 0.001) and were partially restored in patients treated with methotrexate (MTX) plus anti–tumor necrosis factor compared with patients treated with MTX alone. Within the CD27 memory B cells, the CD27IgD switched memory subtype was selectively decreased, irrespective of treatment. The frequency of CD27 memory B cells correlated inversely with levels of several B cell activation biomarkers in RA. Serum BAFF level and BAFF-R expression was comparable in RA patients and controls. A low baseline CD27 memory B cell frequency was associated with a greater clinical response to RTX (odds ratio 0.97 [95% confidence interval 0.95–0.99], P 0.0015). Conclusion. In B cell depletion therapy–naive RA patients, a low frequency of CD27 memory B cells correlated with levels of serum B cell activation biomarkers and may predict response to RTX. These results suggest that low memory B cell frequency may be indicative of a B cell–driven RA subtype that is more sensitive to B cell depletion therapy.

Objective To examine whether serum B cell markers can predict response to rituximab, a B cell–depleting monoclonal antibody, in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods This rituximab re-treatment dose study (SMART [eSsai MAbthera sur la dose de Re-Traitement]) involved 208 patients with refractory RA. Serum markers of B cell activation (anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibodies, rheumatoid factor [RF], serum IgG, IgA, and IgM levels, serum κ and λ free light chains, and serum BAFF) were assessed before the first rituximab cycle (1,000 mg on days 1 and 15). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with a European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response at 24 weeks. Results There were 149 responders (72%). Two baseline factors were associated with a EULAR response at 24 weeks in multivariate analysis: the presence of anti-CCP antibodies or RF (odds ratio 3.5 [95% confidence interval 1.6–7.6]) and a serum IgG concentration above normal (odds ratio 2.11 [95% confidence interval 1.02–4.33]), with synergy between them (odds ratio 6.0 [95% confidence interval 2.2–16.2]). Conclusion The presence of RF or anti-CCP antibodies and elevated IgG are 2 simple biomarkers that can be used routinely before therapy to predict response to rituximab in patients with refractory RA.

Background: IL-2 has been reported to be critical for peripheral Treg survival in mouse models. Here, we examined Treg maintenance in a series of paediatric liver transplant recipients who received basiliximab, a therapeutic anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody. Methodology/Principal Findings: FoxP3 + CD4 T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry before liver grafting and more than 9 months later. We found that in vivo CD25 blockade did not lead to Treg depletion: the proportion of FoxP3 + cells among CD4 T cells and the level of FoxP3 expression were both unchanged. IL-2Rb expression was enhanced in FoxP3 + cells both before and after basiliximab treatment, while the level of IL-2Rc expression was similar in Tregs and non-Tregs. No significant change in the weak or absent expression of IL-7Ra and IL-15Ra expression on FoxP3 + cells was observed. Although the proportion of FoxP3 + cells among CD4 T cells did not vary, food allergies occurred more rapidly after liver grafting in patients who received basiliximab, raising questions as to Treg functionality in vivo in the absence of functional CD25. Conclusions: CD25 appears non essential for human Treg peripheral maintenance in vivo. However, our results raise questions as to Treg functionality after therapeutic CD25 targeting.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased risk of classical Hodgkin (cHL) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). In the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era, while the incidence of NHL has declined, HL incidence has remained stable. In comparison to their HIV-negative counterpart, HIV-associated HLs present frequent high-risk characteristics: 1- mixed cellularity histological subtype, 2- advanced stage, presence of B symptoms and higher International Prognostic Score (IPS). Methods: The national prospective cohort of HIV-related lymphomas (ANRS CO16 Lymphovir cohort sponsored by Inserm-ANRS) enrolled adult patients in 40 centers since July 2008. Pathological materials were centralized and reviewed. Diagnoses were based on World Health Organization criteria. Patients have been followed every 6 months during 5 years. HIV HL patients were compared to a series of HIV-negative adult patients consecutively diagnosed with HL during the same period in Paris Saint-Louis hospital. Results: Among 159 HIV-infected patients, 68 (43%) were diagnosed with cHL. Mixed cellularity (MC) subtype was predominant (n=42), followed by nodular sclerosing (11). Fifteen cases could not be subclassified mainly because of small needle biopsies. Median age was 44 years (ranging from 20 to 65), male/female ratio was 5.8. Most patients (75%) had advanced clinical stage (III/IV). HIV infection had been diagnosed for a median of 13 years (maximum of 26 years) before the diagnosis of cHL. Median CD4 T-cell count was 380/μl (range 37-1742) and plasma HIV RNA was < 50 in 78% of the patients. All except one patient had been treated with cART prior to cHL diagnosis. They were all treated with cART after diagnosis. Front-line chemotherapy with standard anthracyclin based regimen (ABVD) was given to 64 out of 68 patients, BEACOPP in 4 patients. ABVD was followed by radiotherapy in limited stages. Five patients died from early disease progression (n=2), sepsis during chemotherapy (1) and after relapse (2). Two-year overall survival and Progression Free Survivals (PFS) were 94% [95%CI 88, 100] and 89% [82, 97], respectively. The only factor associated with PFS was age with a relative risk of 8.09 [0.97; 67.18] above 45 years (Table). IPS and CD4 count were not significantly associated with PFS. In comparison with HIV-negative patients, patients with HIV infection displayed higher risk features for all prognostic factors of HL (older age, male predominance, MC subtype, more advanced stages, lower lymphocytic counts). Treatment of HIV-negative patients was similar to HIV-positive patients: ABVD (79%), BEACOPP (21%), with addition of radiotherapy in limited stages. Overall, the outcomes of the HIV-infected patients did not differ significantly from those of HIV-negative patients (Figure). Conclusion : Although high risk features still predominate in HIV-HL, the prognostic of these patients has markedly improved in the recent cART era. We report 2-years OS and PFS of 94% and 89%, respectively, in patients mainly treated with cART and ABVD. The outcome of HL in HIV infected patients now resembles to those of non HIV infected patients. Table: Univariate analysis of Progression Free Survival in HIV associated Hodgkin Lymphoma (Cox model) (N=68) N Progression or Death, N RR 95 % CI p-value Gender 0.95 F 9 1 1 M 59 6 0.94 [0.11 ; 7.77] Age 0.05 =40 18 1 1 0.2 45 4 1 ≤0.2 21 3 1.64 [0.37 ; 7.32] RR: Relative Risk CI: Confidency interval *: 3 missing values **: 8 missing values ***: 2 missing values Median follow-up: HIV(-) cHL: 37 months (IQR=37) Lymphovir: 33 months (IQR=34) 2- year PFS: HIV(-) cHL: 0.86 CI95%=[ 0.82, 0.90 ] Lymphovir: 0.89 CI95%=[ 0.82, 0.97 ] Figure: Progression free survival (PFS) of HIV associated Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (N= 68) compared with HIV negative patients (N=336) Figure:. Progression free survival (PFS) of HIV associated Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (N= 68) compared with HIV negative patients (N=336) IQR: Interquartile range CI: Confidency interval Disclosures Brice: Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria.

Abstract 2147 Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased risk of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Increased risk of NHL is strongly correlated to the severity of the underlying immunodeficiency. Introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has reduced the incidence of NHL -but not of HL's- among HIV-infected individuals. Outcomes are reported to be poorer among HIV-infected patients with HL or NHL than among non-HIV-infected patients. We carry out a cohort with the aim to study the characteristics and outcome of HIV-related lymphomas. Methods: The multicentric prospective Cohort of HIV related lymphomas (ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir cohort) enrolled 116 adult patients in 32 centers between October 2007 and April 2012. Investigations were performed after approval of the ethic committee. Patients were included at diagnosis of lymphoma (n=108) or at first relapse (1 HL, 7 NHL). Data collection concerned HIV infection history, clinical, biological and histological presentation, treatment and evolution of lymphoma. Pathological materials were centralized and 91 cases were reviewed. Diagnoses were based on World Health Organization criteria. Each patient was followed every 6 months during 5 years. Results: Among the 116 patients, 39.7% (46) were diagnosed with HL and 60.3% (70) with NHL. Median age was 43.5 years (ranging from 20 to 61) among patients with HL and 47 years (23 to 67) among those with NHL. Gender (male/female) ratio was 8.2 (41/5) among patients with HL, 1.7 (44/26) among those with NHL. The histological distribution of NHL were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) 54.3% (38), Burkitt lymphomas (BL) 18.6% (13), plasmablastic lymphoma 10% (7), marginal zone/lymphoplasmocytic lymphoma 7.1% (5), others 10%: PTLD- like lymphoma (2), primary effusion lymphoma (1), follicular lymphoma (1), anaplastic lymphoma (1), unclassified (2). There was a predominance of clinical stages III/IV versus I/II among HL (76.7%, 33/43) and NHL patients (73.5%, 50/68). Among patients with DLBCL, LDH level was elevated in 68.4% (26/38) and performance status altered (2–4 versus 0–1) in 38.5% (15/39). HIV infection had been diagnosed for a median of 151 months (0 to 312) among HL patients and 117 (0 to 327) among those with NHL. The interval between diagnoses of HIV infection and lymphoma was shorter than 3 months for 2 patients with HL and 13 with NHL. All other patients except 6 NHL patients had been treated with ART at diagnosis of lymphoma. Median durations of ARV were 128 months (2 to 238) among HL patients and 119 months (1 to 236) among those with NHL. Patients with HL had a median CD4 T-cell count at diagnosis of lymphoma of 353/mm3 (range 37–1120), those with NHL, 261/mm3 (range 7–1322)]. The median interval between lymphoma occurrence and last follow-up was 21 months (range 0–41). During follow-up, all patients were treated with ARV. Among first-line HL patients, 39 out of 40 were treated with ABVD. Out of 40 patients with DLBCL or BL, 30 received chemotherapies combined with rituximab. At 24 months, overall survival is 95% among patients with HL and 78% among those with NHL (Figure 1). Two HL patients died during follow-up: one HL patient included in relapse from progression, another from a second cancer. Sixteen NHL patients died during follow-up: there were 10 early deaths ( Conclusions: The present study points out the high proportion of HL among HIV infection with lymphoma in the cART era and their favourable outcome compared to previous reports. This study also strengthens the heterogeneity of HIV-related lymphomas and the frequency of early deaths among patients with NHL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 4156 Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are both associated with an increased risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). They are known to be preferentially diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and Burkitt lymphoma subtypes in HIV infection, while marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and DLBCL represent the main subtypes in HCV infected patients. The absence of increased risk of B-NHL in HIV-HCV co-infected patients compared to HIV infected patients was reported in epidemiological studies, but the clinico-pathological characteristics of B-NHL in the setting of such co-infection particularly in the era of HAART remains unclear. Patients and methods: We present the data of adult patients with B-NHL and HIV-HCV co-infection from the French ANRS CO16 Lymphovir cohort. This multicentric prospective cohort includes HIV infected patients with lymphoma. Each patient is followed every 6 months during 5 years. At each follow-up, a blood sample is withdrawn allowing ancillary studies. Data collection concerns clinical presentation, treatment and evolution of B-NHL and HIV and HCV infections. Pathological and cytological materials are centralized in order to allow their review and a concerted analysis by a group of expert hematopathologists (MR, SP, DC), haematologists and immunologists. Results: Among the 49 patients with B-NHL included in the cohort, 6 were HIV-HCV coinfected, [5 men and 1 woman, median age 47 years (range 36–67)]. They were included between october 2007 and august 2009 in 6 French centres. Transmission risk was intravenous drug abuse (n=4) and heterosexual transmission (n=2). Median duration from HIV diagnosis to B-NHL was 11 years (range 1–20), and the median nadir CD4 T-cell count was 194/mm3 (range 151–746) (nadir not available for 2 patients). Only one patient had developed AIDS before the diagnosis of NHL. HCV genotypic distribution was: genotype 1 (n=3), 2 (n=1), 4 (n=1), and not available (n=1). Median HCV viral load was 6.0 log (range 5.4–7.1). One patient had compensated cirrhosis and none of the patients were tested for cryoglobulinemia. Immunological assays showed the presence of monoclonal IgM Kappa in 1 patient and no positive rheumatoid factor. At the diagnosis of B-NHL, 4 patients received HAART and had an undetectable HIV load. In contrast, none of the patients were treated for HCV infection. The median interval between B-NHL diagnosis and last follow-up is 17 months (range 0.1–32 months). The histological subtype distribution is 4 MZL -including 2 extranodal MZL of MALT, 1 splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) and 1 lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma- and 2 EBV-negative DLBCL. All patients have extranodal involvement, including digestive tract (n=3), liver (n=2), bone marrow (n=2) and spleen (n=1). Median CD4 T-cell count at B-NHL diagnosis was 582/mm3 (range 235–1322) in MZL patients and 274/mm3 (200 and 347) in DLBCL patients. Following diagnosis, all patients were treated with HAART, associated with peg-interferon plus ribavirin in 1 patient. The 2 patients with DLBCL received R-CHOP, associated with methotrexate in 1 case. One patient with a partial response exhibited a neuromeningeal relapse and was treated with COPADM and CYVE regimen, allowing a complete and sustained response. The other patient died of serious infection after 2 courses of chemotherapy. Among patients with MZL, one patient received R-CVP and one received chlorambucil, allowing a complete response in both patients. The patient with SLVL received HAART then peg-interferon plus ribavirin, allowing normalization of lymphocytes count (5.89 at baseline vs. 1.69 × 109/L at 12 weeks of anti-HCV therapy) with a correlation between HCV virological and hematological response. Patient with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma died of cardiac ischemia before the initiation of chemotherapy. Conclusions: This study describes the resurgence of MZL in HIV-HCV co-infected patients with restored immunity under HAART. Such B-NHL, very rarely described in HIV patients, occurs mainly in patients with control of HIV without history of AIDS but with active HCV infection. Histological subtypes and localizations resemble more to that observed in HCV infected patients than in HIV infected patients. These findings suggest the role of chronic antigenic stimulation by HCV and/or HIV and question about the interest of HCV antiviral therapy on NHL in co-infected patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Background: In HIV-infected patients on long-term HAART, virus persistence in resting long-lived CD4 T cells is a major barrier to curing the infection. Cell quiescence, by favouring HIV latency, reduces the risk of recognition and cell destruction by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Several cell-activation-based approaches have been proposed to disrupt cell quiescence and then virus latency, but these approaches have not eradicated the virus. CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a CD4 + Tcell subset with particular activation properties. We investigated the role of these cells in virus persistence in patients on long-term HAART. Methodology/Principal Findings: We found evidence of infection of resting Tregs (HLADR 2 CD69 2 CD25 hi FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells) purified from patients on prolonged HAART. HIV DNA harbouring cells appear more abundant in the Treg subset than in non-Tregs. The half-life of the Treg reservoir was estimated at 20 months. Since Tregs from patients on prolonged HAART showed hyporesponsiveness to cell activation and inhibition of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte-related functions upon activation, therapeutics targeting cell quiescence to induce virus expression may not be appropriate for purging the Treg reservoir. Conclusions: Our results identify Tregs as a particular compartment within the latent reservoir that may require a specific approach for its purging.

Introduction In this study, we sought to address changes in blood lymphocyte subpopulations and labial salivary gland (LSG) inflammation after belimumab treatment in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) and to identify predictors of response to treatment. Methods Sequential blood lymphocyte subsets and LSG biopsies were analysed between week 0 (W0) and W28 in 15 patients with pSS treated with belimumab. Systemic response to treatment was defined as a decrease in the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index score of ≥3 points at W28. Results After belimumab, we observed a decrease in blood B lymphocytes primarily involving CD27-negative/immunoglobulin D–positive naïve B cells (p=0.008). Lymphocytic sialadenitis (focus score >1) that was present in 12 patients (80.0 %) before belimumab treatment became negative in 5 of them after treatment (p=0.03). The median (interquartile range) LSG B-cell/T-cell ratio decreased from 0.58 (0.5–0.67) to 0.50 (0.5–0.5) (p=0.06). B-cell activating factor (BAFF) staining was detected in 11 (78.6 %) of 14 patients before belimumab treatment compared with 7 (50.0 %) of 14 after belimumab therapy (p=0.10). The median percentage of BAFF-positive cells in foci significantly decreased from 27.5 % (10–40) to 5 % (0–20) (p=0.03). A systemic response was achieved in six patients (40 %). The only predictor of response was the presence of a low number of natural killer (NK) cells, both in blood (8.5 % [7–10] vs 11 % [9–21]; p=0.04) and in LSG (20.6/mm3 [20.0–21.4] vs 30.0/mm3 [25.0–100.0], p=0.003). Serum BAFF levels did not influence response to treatment. Conclusions Low blood and salivary NK cell numbers are associated with a better response to belimumab. This suggests that two distinct subsets of pSS may exist: one with a predominant type I interferon (IFN)–BAFF–B-cell axis, representing good responders to belimumab; and one with a predominant type II IFN–NK cell axis, representing non-responders. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01160666. Registered 9 July 2010.