HIV-1 DNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with HIV-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

To the Editor:Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)patients have an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma(NHL),even in the era of antiretroviral therapy(ART).[1]The specific mechanisms of HIVrelated NHL(HIV-NHL)remain unclear.It is currently thought that HIV causes lymphoma primarily through chronic immune activation and an increased risk of infection with oncoviruses.In addition,HIV may have some other mechanisms that directly contribute to the occurrence of lymphoma.[2]Even with sustained ART,HIV-DNA remains in infected cells,creating a persistent reservoir of HIV infection.It is not known whether HIV reservoirs are involved in the development of HIV-NHL.In the present study,we detected HIV-1 DNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)and plasma inflammatory cytokines levels in HIV-NHL,and then evaluated their effects on HIV-NHL development and prognosis.