Higher incomplete remission rate of ocular extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma in hepatitis B virus infectious patients.

PURPOSE: Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is the most common form of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL). In Taiwan, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are detected in about 15-20% of adults. This study aims to assess whether HBV infections influence the prognosis of ocular MALT lymphoma.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with ocular MALT lymphoma at two Taiwanese tertiary medical centers between 1988 and 2018. HBV infection was defined according to positive HBsAg serological tests. Outcomes were classified as complete remission or incomplete remission. Survival was also analyzed.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 130 patients, 24 of whom were HBV-positive (18.5%) with mean age of 51.08 years old. The most common Ann Arbor clinical stage was IE in both HBV and non-HBV group (70.83% vs. 79.25%, respectively, p = 0.753). In HBV group, higher incomplete remission rate (50%, p = 0.021), shorter disease-free survival time (p = 0.039), and progression-free survival time (p = 0.016) were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, patients with systemic HBV infection have higher incomplete remission rate and shorter disease-free and progression-free survival time of ocular MALT lymphoma. This is the first study discussing the relationship between HBV infections and ocular MALT lymphoma on Taiwanese population.