[State of art: Epstein Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma]

Abstract

Epstein Barr virus(EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC), comprising 10% of gastric carcinoma, is the most frequent EBV-associated neoplasm in Japan. EBVaGC is a distinct type of gastric carcinoma, which is marked by the monoclonal EBV, and its morphogenesis seems to be different from that of other gastric carcinomas. Future studies are necessary to disclose precise timing of EBV infection to the epithelial cells of the stomach, status and mechanism of EBV-infection in the non-neoplastic gastric mucosa, molecular mechanism of the development of EBVaGC, and role of EBV in the maintenance of EBVaGC. Development of new therapeutic approach specific to EBVaGC will also facilitate the recognition of this entity in clinical medicine.