Yale study ties HHV-6 to Hodgkin’s lymphoma

A new study from Yale has identified HHV-6 in 86% of nodular sclerosis Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NSHL) cases. Researchers utilized several laboratory methods—including IHC, PCR, and FISH—to identify HHV-6 DNA in tissue samples from 31 lymph node cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The study is the most comprehensive and thorough investigation conducted on the association between HHV-6 & NSHL to date, and helps to clarify previously conflicting results published in the field.

In addition, the group also sought to localize the presence of HHV-6 DNA in particular HL cell types, and identified HHV-6 DNA via IHC in malignant Reed-Sternberg cells in nearly half of the cases. This result, which is supported by previously published work by Lacroix et al and others, suggests that HHV-6 may play a direct role in the pathogenesis of NSHL.

For more information, read the full paper, “HHV-6 positive Reed-Sternberg cells in nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma,” and visit The HHV-6 Foundation’s webpage on HHV-6 & Cancer.