Overview
Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (EBV+ DLBCL) is a type of aggressive blood cancer that develops in B cells, which are white blood cells that normally help fight infections. What makes this lymphoma unique is that the cancer cells are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the same virus that causes mononucleosis ("mono"). This disease was originally described mainly in older adults over age 50, but it is now recognized that it can occur at any age. It was previously called "EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly" but has since been renamed because younger patients can also be affected. The disease typically causes swollen lymph nodes, which may appear in the neck, armpits, groin, or inside the body. Patients often experience what doctors call "B symptoms," including unexplained fevers, drenching night sweats, and significant weight loss. The lymphoma can also develop outside the lymph nodes, affecting organs such as the skin, lungs, stomach, liver, or bone marrow. Some patients may feel very tired, have poor appetite, or notice general declining health. Treatment usually involves combination chemotherapy, most commonly a regimen called R-CHOP, which includes the drug rituximab along with several chemotherapy agents. However, EBV+ DLBCL tends to have a worse prognosis compared to EBV-negative DLBCL, and some patients may not respond as well to standard treatment. Newer approaches including immunotherapy and targeted therapies are being studied in clinical trials. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important for the best possible outcomes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groinUnexplained feversDrenching night sweatsUnintentional weight lossSevere fatigue and weaknessLoss of appetiteMasses or lumps outside the lymph nodesSkin lumps or lesionsAbdominal pain or swellingDifficulty breathing or coughBone painItchy skinEnlarged liver or spleenEasy bruising or bleeding
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsFondazione Italiana Linfomi - ETS — NA
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — EARLY_PHASE1
First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University — PHASE1, PHASE2
The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University — PHASE2
Virginia Commonwealth University — PHASE2
Suzhou Suncadia Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. — PHASE3
Shanghai Exuma Biotechnology Ltd. — PHASE1
Ting YANG
Ruijin Hospital — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
6 availablePOLIVY
in combination with a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) for the treatment of adult patients who have previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), …
in combination with a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) for the treatment of adult patients who have previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) and who have an International Prognostic Index score of 2 or greater
Breyanzi
adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma), who have refractory disease …
adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma), who have refractory disease to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or relapse within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy; or refractory disease to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or relapse after first-line chemoimmunotherapy and are not eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) due to comorbidities or age; or relapsed or refractory disease after 2 or more lines of systemic therapy
Epkinly
For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell ly…
For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy.
Zynlonta
indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwi…
indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified
Kymriah
KYMRIAH is indicated for treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL…
KYMRIAH is indicated for treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
MONJUVI
in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade l…
in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
4 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
5 articlesCaregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my lymphoma, and has it spread beyond the lymph nodes?,How does the EBV-positive status affect my treatment plan and expected outcomes compared to EBV-negative DLBCL?,What treatment regimen do you recommend, and what are the expected side effects?,Am I eligible for any clinical trials that specifically target EBV-positive lymphoma?,What signs or symptoms should prompt me to seek emergency care during treatment?,If the first treatment does not work, what are the next options, including stem cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy?,How often will I need follow-up scans and blood tests after treatment is completed?
Common questions about Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
What is Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (EBV+ DLBCL) is a type of aggressive blood cancer that develops in B cells, which are white blood cells that normally help fight infections. What makes this lymphoma unique is that the cancer cells are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the same virus that causes mononucleosis ("mono"). This disease was originally described mainly in older adults over age 50, but it is now recognized that it can occur at any age. It was previously called "EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly" but has since been renamed because younger patients can
How is Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma inherited?
Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
Yes — 18 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
23 specialists and care centers treating Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.