Epstein-Barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma develops with extremely high incidence in discrete populations and geographic locations. It is consistently associated with the ubiquitous Epstein-Barr herpesvirus (EBV). The structure of EBV DNA indicates that the tumor is a clonal proliferation that developed subsequent to EBV infection. Specific viral genes are consistently expressed within all cells of the tumor. This consistent expression may indicate that the viral gene products are required for tumor growth. Genetic or environmental factors may affect the expression of these critical viral genes or cellular genes and contribute to tumor progression.
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7295.
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Raab-Traub
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000821:virology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins