Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an aggressive tumor with a complex etiology. Although Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is known environmental factor for NPC development, the degree to which EBV naturally infects nasopharyngeal epithelium and the moment when and why the virus actively begins to affect cell transformation remains questionable. The aim of this study was to explore the association between LMP1 gene variability and potential contribution to NPC development. A systematic review was performed through searches of PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and SCOPUS electronic databases. Additionally, meta-analysis of the difference in the frequency of seven LMP1 gene variants in NPC and control individuals was accomplished. The results from this study give a proof of concept for the association between 30 bp deletion (OR = 3.53, 95% CI = 1.48–8.43) and Xhol loss (OR = 14.17, 95% CI = 4.99–40.20) and NPC susceptibility when comparing biopsies from NPC and healthy individuals. Otherwise, 30 bp deletion from NPC biopsies could not distinguish NPC from EBV-associated non-NPC tumors (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 0.81–3.75). However, B95-8, China1 and North Carolina variants were uncommon for NPC individuals. Much more efforts remains to be done to verify the biological significance of the differences observed, define so-called “high-risk” EBV variants and make it available for clinical application.
Highlights
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare but aggressive tumor that originates from the epithelial cells of the retronasal cavity
The result of the meta-analysis of the difference in the presence of 30 bp deletion latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) variant between NPC biopsy samples and throat washings from healthy respondents showed significantly greater frequency of this variant in NPC biopsies (OR = 3.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.21–6.44, p < 0.001) (Figure 6)
This study provided a comprehensive systematic review of LMP1 gene variability, between NPC and non-NPC participants in general, but a much more homogeneous and detailed comparison
Summary
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare but aggressive tumor that originates from the epithelial cells of the retronasal cavity. It could be presented with varying degrees of differentiation, the undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT, World Health Organization type III) is the most dominant histopathological type in highrisk areas. It has been suggested that both genetic and environmental factors could play a role in the development of NPC. Genetic predisposition is based on HLA (human leukocyte antigen) polymorphisms and chromosomal 3p LOH (loss of heterozygosity), which is supported by finding of NPC clustering in families from diverse populations [3,4]. Environmental factors include food common to Southern Chinese cultures, in particular consumption of salted fish, tobacco smoke, alcohol consumption, inhalant and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection [3,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
