Epstein‐Barr virus infection in urothelial transitional cell carcinoma tissues

• Published in: BJU international Vol. 93; no. 4; pp. 495 - 498
• Main Authors: Chuang, C.‐K., Liao, S.‐K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.03.2004; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - virology; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - complications; Epstein‐Barr virus; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Humans; hybridization; Immunohistochemistry; Medical sciences; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; pathogenesis; RNA, Viral - metabolism; transitional cell carcinoma; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; Urologic Neoplasms - virology; Gammaherpesvirinae; Human; Urinary system disease; Pathogenesis; Herpesviridae; Epstein Barr virus; Malignant tumor; Urinary tract disease; Transitional cell carcinoma; Urinary tract; hybridization; Carcinogenesis; Infection; Virus; Viral disease; Epstein-Barr virus
• ISSN: 1464-4096; 1464-410X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2003.04687.x

OBJECTIVE To explore a possible correlation of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection with urothelial tumours, as the mutation of oncogenes, inactivation of tumour suppressor genes and viral infections may be important in the tumorigenesis of urothelial tumours, and EBV has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of lymphoproliferative disorders and several epithelial neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS In all, 104 surgical specimens of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were obtained from urological operating rooms, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for in situ hybridization using DNA probes, to locate the signal of EBV‐encoded RNAs (EBERs). Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against CD20 and EBV‐encoded latent membrane protein‐1 (LMP‐1) was used on EBER‐positive tumour specimens. RESULTS Thirty‐one tumour specimens were positive for EBER hybridization in 100 evaluable specimens. Of these positive specimens, 21 were positive in both the infiltrating B lymphocytes and TCC tumour cells, seven only in B lymphocytes and three only in TCC cells. Of 31 EBER‐positive tumour tissues, 26 (84%) had LMP‐1, suggesting that EBER is more sensitive than LMP‐1 for detecting EBV infection. CONCLUSION There is a strong association between EBV infection and a significant proportion of primary urothelial TCC tumour cells.