The Role of Stem Cell therapies in the Treatment of Burkitt’s Lymphoma: Exploring Changes in Stem Cell Function caused by Pathogenic Infections

Burkitt’s Lymphoma (BL) is a rare form of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. BL is aggressive and tumors can double in size in only 24 hours. BL is caused by a mutation in the c-MYC oncogene. c-MYC is translocated to immunoglobulin enhancers, which then cause uncontrolled cell proliferation. The translocation is most linked to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). When EBV infects B-cells of the host leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Advancements continue for EBV-targeted treatments to act as intervention in EBV-infected cells. Other factors that lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation include mutations in the apoptotic regulators, TP53 and BIM. Histology of BL presents a uniform “starry sky” pattern. This unique appearance is the hallmark of BL diagnoses. Treatment for BL includes intensive chemotherapy and can be followed by Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy (HSCT). Peripheral blood and bone marrow stem cell transplantation are used for stem cell therapies that treat BL. Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) are commonly used over Bone Marrow (BM) due to faster engraftment and lower risk of infection. Both autologous and allogeneic Stem Cell Treatments (SCT) have been shown to improve and accelerate recovery post-chemotherapy treatment. Healthcare improvements have been made in low-income regions, leading to improved survival rates for BL. This is a review of assembled evidence on the influence of pathogens such as EBV on molecular pathways that drive BL. This review also assesses therapeutic approaches such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantations to treat BL.