Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
Recently, an association between viral infection and the development of esophageal carcinoma has been reported, particularly the human papilloma virus (HPV) and Esptein-Bar virus (EBV). However, geographic variation in carcinogenesis is realized. In this study, we investigate the viral carcinogenesis and the biologic effect of viral infection on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Taiwan.


METHODS
To determine the association of viral infection (EBV and HPV) with ESCC, we applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization (ISH) to examine 119 surgical specimens from different sites of esophagus in 31 ESCC patients. Additionally, an immunoperoxidase method was used to detect EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1), p53, CD45RO (UCHL-1), Fas ligand (Fas L), and RNA ISH with oligonucleotide sequences was used to detected interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA.


RESULTS
By PCR, EBV DNA was detected in 11 cases (35.5%). Expression of EBERs in ESCC was further confirmed with ISH. Nonetheless, no LMP-1 expression was detected. On the other hand, human papillomavirus (HPV) was identified in only one case (3.2%) of ESCC. Furthermore, HPV was located by ISH in the distant normal region rather than in tumor cells. In EBV-positive cases, accumulation of p53 protein was detected in 10 lesions (91%); CD45RO+ lymphocytes together with expressions of FasL and IL-6 were respectively identified in 100%, 63.6%, and 54.5% of 11 EBV-positive lesions. Interestingly, in the EBV-negative cases (n = 20), p53 protein was detected in 40% of lesions; CD45RO 30%; FasL 50%, and IL-6 10%.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, no correlation was found between the presence of EBV in ESCC and the patients' age, sex, as well as survival. Although our results indicate that EBV could be associated with ESCC, the clinical role of EBV in ESCC remains to be determined.
Wang
L S
LS
Department of Surgery, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei and National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chow
K C
KC
Wu
Y C
YC
Li
W Y
WY
Huang
M H
MH
D000368:Aged; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013624:Taiwan; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens