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Review
. 2014 Nov 7;6(4):2259-74.
doi: 10.3390/cancers6042259.

Epstein-barr virus in gastric carcinoma

Jun Nishikawa  1 , Hironori Yoshiyama  2 , Hisashi Iizasa  3 , Yuichi Kanehiro  4 , Munetaka Nakamura  5 , Junichi Nishimura  6 , Mari Saito  7 , Takeshi Okamoto  8 , Kouhei Sakai  9 , Yutaka Suehiro  10 , Takahiro Yamasaki  11 , Atsunori Oga  12 , Hideo Yanai  13 , Isao Sakaida  14
Affiliations
Review

Epstein-barr virus in gastric carcinoma

Jun Nishikawa et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lymphoepithelioma-like subtype of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma. (a) H & E staining; (b) EBV-encoded small ribonucleic acid 1 (EBER1) in situ hybridization demonstrates positive nuclei in the carcinoma cells, which are surrounded by infiltrating lymphocytes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Endoscopic image of an Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma in the upper gastric body. The tumor shows a protruded shape probably because of the abundant lymphocyte infiltration.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Aberrant DNA methylation might lead to the development and progression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma. DNMT, DNA methyltransferase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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