Epstein-barr virus in gastric carcinoma

• Published in: Cancers Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 2259 - 2274
• Main Authors: Nishikawa, Jun, Yoshiyama, Hironori, Iizasa, Hisashi, Kanehiro, Yuichi, Nakamura, Munetaka, Nishimura, Junichi, Saito, Mari, Okamoto, Takeshi, Sakai, Kouhei, Suehiro, Yutaka, Yamasaki, Takahiro, Oga, Atsunori, Yanai, Hideo, Sakaida, Isao
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 07.11.2014; MDPI
• Subjects: DNA methylation; Epstein-Barr virus; Gastric cancer; Review; Viruses
• ISSN: 2072-6694; 2072-6694
• DOI: 10.3390/cancers6042259

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is detected in about 10% of gastric carcinoma cases throughout the world. In EBV-associated gastric carcinoma, all tumor cells harbor the clonal EBV genome. Gastric carcinoma associated with EBV has distinct clinicopathological features, occurs predominately in men and in younger-aged individuals, and presents a generally diffuse histological type. Most cases of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma exhibit a histology rich in lymphocyte infiltration. The immunological reactiveness in the host may represent a relatively preferable prognosis in EBV-positive cases. This fact highlights the important role of EBV in the development of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma. We have clearly proved direct infection of human gastric epithelialcells by EBV. The infection was achieved by using a recombinant EBV. Promotion of growth by EBV infection was observed in the cells. Considerable data suggest that EBV may directly contribute to the development of EBV-associated GC. This tumor-promoting effect seems to involve multiple mechanisms, because EBV affects several host proteins and pathways that normally promote apoptosis and regulate cell proliferation.