Herpes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Herpes, including details on herpes simplex virus (hsv), genital, oral, symptoms, treatment.

Primary cutaneous plasmacytoma: a role for a triggering stimulus?

Zendri E, Venturi C, Ricci R, Giordano G, De Panfilis G

Department of Surgery, Section of Dermatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Primary cutaneous plasmacytoma is a rare type of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells, that primarily develops in the skin. Five cases have been described to date in which a local triggering stimulus may be involved in development of this skin tumour. We describe the case of a primary cutaneous plasmacytoma localized to the lower lip. This site had been affected for 15 years with recurrent herpes simplex virus-1 infection. Neoplastic plasma cells were found to be bcl-2-positive. We hypothesize that chronic stimulation of keratinocytes by herpes simplex virus-1, possibly through toll-like receptors, may have favoured the release of cytokines (e.g. interleukin-6) able to induce plasma cell proliferation, transformation and survival.

Published 5 April 2005 in Clin Exp Dermatol, 30(3): 229-31.
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