What virus is associated with adult T-cell lymphoma?

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the virus specifically linked to adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL). ATL is a type of cancer that primarily affects T-cells, which are a critical component of the immune system. HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that infects T-cells and can lead to their malignant transformation over time, particularly in individuals who have been infected for several years.

The association between HTLV-1 and ATL is well established in medical literature, as the virus can cause a range of lymphoproliferative disorders. While other viruses such as HIV, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are also linked to various hematological malignancies and have implications in immune dysfunction, they are not directly responsible for the development of ATL in the same specific manner as HTLV-1. This makes HTLV-1 the distinct causative agent for adult T-cell lymphoma.