Plasma EBV DNA Detected in 92% of East African Youth With Hodgkin Lymphoma

An observational cohort study examined plasma DNA biomarkers in 50 children and young adults with newly diagnosed classical Hodgkin lymphoma in Tanzania and Uganda. The study addressed EBV-associated disease in an understudied population. Plasma cell-free DNA collected at diagnosis was analyzed for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), EBV-derived biomarkers, and somatic mutations, with clinical and survival associations assessed using correlation analyses and Cox proportional hazards models.

Median age was 12 years, 62% of participants were male, and most presented with advanced-stage disease. ctDNA was detected in 60% of patients, with a low mutational burden, while EBV DNA was detected in 92%. Male patients had higher EBV-derived markers and fewer TNFAIP3 and B2M mutations. At a median follow-up of 17.2 months, reported overall survival was 84% and event-free survival was 50%. Male sex and elevated lactate dehydrogenase independently predicted inferior event-free survival.

The findings describe sex-associated molecular and clinical differences but do not establish a role for plasma biomarkers in directing treatment. Interpretation is limited by the small observational cohort and short follow-up. Only the abstract was available; hazard ratios, confidence intervals, and detailed treatment information were not provided.