The CD20+CXCR4hiCD24+CXCR5+CD40+CD4+ B-cell population in MC23 of HIV+ pre-NHL (cART-naïve) samples displayed a mature and activated phenotype (IgM+HLADR+) with a potential pre-lymphoma feature as it expressed AICDA compared to MC23 of HIV+ cART-naïve samples. Here, CD40 is linked to lymphoma.