Expression of Epstein-Barr virus in tumor tissue and its association with the quality of life of patients with Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

• Grant number: 24/20507-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Vitor Bonetti Valente
• Grantee: Jackeline Thaynara Freitas dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL) is a malignant B-cell lymphoproliferative neoplasm associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This infection can induce genetic and epigenetic alterations in B lymphocytes, contributing to the progression of CHL. The progression of the disease compromises the patient's quality of life, increases the risk of recurrence or refractory disease, and reduces the chance of cure. To date, there are no studies that have investigated the quality of life levels of patients with CHL. Likewise, no investigation has demonstrated the relationship between the presence of EBV in tumor cells and the quality of life levels of these patients. The objective of the present study is to investigate the association between the presence of EBV in tumor tissue and the quality of life levels of patients with CHL before the start of onco-hematological treatment. The research will include 20 patients diagnosed with CHL. Patients will be recruited from the Oncology Treatment Center of the Santa Casa Hospital of Araçatuba and the Oral Oncology Center of the Araçatuba Dental School. The presence of EBV in tumor cells will be assessed by in situ hybridization. The quality of life of patients with CHL will be assessed using two instruments: the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire - abbreviated version (WHOQOL-bref) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Lymphoma (FACT-Lym). The relationship between demographic, clinicopathological and biobehavioral data of CHL patients and the presence of EBV in the tumor and levels of quality of life before onco-hematological treatment will be investigated. Data will be checked for normality and statistical analysis will be performed using specific tests. The critical level will be set at 5% (p<0.05) to admit differences in values as statistically significant.