Miao L, et al. - The MYC rearrangements were evaluated in 13 unpublished single-center plasmablastic lymphomas (PBL) cases and an additional 85 cases from the literature, with reported MYC rearrangement information individualized by the patient was reviewed by the researchers in order to determine the association between MYC rearrangement and clinicopathological characteristics in PBL. In HIV-positive patients, with older age and lower EBV-infection rate, PBL in Asia was much less commonly diagnosed in comparison with those in the non-Asian region. In 44 of 98 PBL cases, MYC rearrangements were recognized and the IGH gene was present in almost all available cases, as verified by an MYC/IGH fusion probe. In contrast with the HIV-negative cases, the MYC rearrangement rate in HIV-positive cases was significantly greater. Individuals with MYC rearrangement exhibited a trend toward inferior median survival time. Therefore, in PBL, MYC rearrangement was frequently recognized and IGH was the partner gene in an overpowering majority of MYC rearrangements. In HIV-positive PBL patients vs HIV-negative patients, the MYC rearrangement rate was significantly higher. Moreover, MYC rearrangement may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HIV-positive PBL but additional studies were needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.