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.
Highlights
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a variety of tumors derived from B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and epithelial cells
EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (GC) has definite histological relevance to GC with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) [17,18,19], which was originally described by Watanabe et al as a subtype of the carcinoma [20]
A histological feature of EBV-associated GC is a diffuse-type carcinoma accompanied by abundant lymphocyte infiltration (i.e., GCLS)
Summary
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a variety of tumors derived from B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and epithelial cells. In each EBV-positive case of GC, almost all carcinoma cells are infected with the virus [5,6], and tumor cells exist as a monoclonal proliferation of EBV-infected cells [7,8]. These facts suggest the significance of EBV in the development of GCs. Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and 60% of these deaths occur in East Asia, which includes Japan [9]. The worldwide occurrence of EBV-associated GC is estimated at more than 50,000 cases per year [10]; EBV-associated GC is the most common cancer among EBV-related malignancies
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