Immunomodulatory drugs target IKZF1-IRF4-MYC axis in primary effusion lymphoma in a cereblon-dependent manner and display synergistic cytotoxicity with BRD4 inhibitors.
STR-428 represents a unique, B-cell lymphoma cell line carrying concurrent rearrangement of BCL2 and c-MYC genes with features distinct from those of HHV-8-related primary effusion lymphoma.
These findings suggest that there may be an additional subcategory of primary effusion lymphoma that is not associated with HHV8 nor c-MYC(R) but is pathogenetically associated with the PAX-5 gene or hepatitis C virus.
The PELs share several features with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated primary central nervous system lymphomas (1 degree CNS-L), including B-cell phenotype, infection with Epstein-Barr virus, and lack of c-myc gene rearrangements.