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Review
. 2018 May:66:15-22.
doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.03.006. Epub 2018 Mar 31.

Outlooks on Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer

Madiha Naseem  1 , Afsaneh Barzi  1 , Christine Brezden-Masley  2 , Alberto Puccini  1 , Martin D Berger  1 , Ryuma Tokunaga  1 , Francesca Battaglin  3 , Shivani Soni  1 , Michelle McSkane  1 , Wu Zhang  1 , Heinz-Josef Lenz  4
Affiliations
Review

Outlooks on Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer

Madiha Naseem et al. Cancer Treat Rev. 2018 May.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) comprises approximately 10% of gastric carcinomas. Multiple factors contribute to tumorigenesis, including EBV driven hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes, inflammatory changes in gastric mucosa, host immune evasion by EBV and changes in cell cycle pathways. The unique molecular characteristics of EBVaGC, such as programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) overexpression, highlight the potential for using EBV as a biomarker for response to immunotherapy. Few studies have reported benefit from immunotherapy in EBV positive cancers, and clinical trials investigating the impact of checkpoint inhibitors in EBVaGC are currently underway. This review provides the most recent updates on molecular pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical features and treatment advances pertaining to EBVaGC.

Keywords: Biomarker; EBV; Gastric cancer; Immunotherapy; PD-L1; Viruses.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

manuscript title: eBSTEIN-BARR VIRUS ASSOCIATED GASTRIC CANCER: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

  1. Madiha Naseem

  2. Afsaneh Barzi

  3. Christine Brezden-Masley

  4. Alberto Puccini

  5. Martin D Berger

  6. Ryuma Tokunaga

  7. Francesca Battaglin

  8. Shivani Soni

  9. Michelle McSkane

  10. Wu Zhang

  11. Heinz-Josef Lenz

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Pathogenesis of EBVaGC
Although the pathogenesis of EBVaGC is not clearly established, several factors allow EBV to stimulate oncogenesis in the gastric epithelium. Once EBV infects the gastric epithelial cell, it enters its latency phase and leads to genome-wide methylation and cell pathway regulation. Aberrant genetic expression and the interaction of EBV infected gastric epithelial cell with the tumor microenvironment dictates cell fate, ultimately leading to cancer development and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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