Lymphoid cell infiltration into Epstein-Barr virus-positive nasopharyngeal carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
A pilot study was designed to analyze lymphoid cell infiltration in Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) and to determine whether this pattern of infiltration is consistent with non-EBV+ head and neck carcinomas or with solid EBV+ tumors in other locations.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of archived NPCs and oral cavity carcinomas.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of the archive material for various markers (CD3, CD8, UCHL-1, S-100, and intercellular adhesion molecule) was performed. Polymerase chain reaction techniques to establish the presence of the EBV genome were used. Cells in different locations were counted under a light microscope by 2 of the authors.


RESULTS
The infiltration pattern of NPCs was different from that of oral cavity carcinomas. Stromal infiltration was significantly denser in oral cavity carcinomas. Tumor nest infiltration was more pronounced in NPCs. The pattern of infiltration was comparable with what has been described for other solid EBV+ tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
The immune response to NPCs is likely to be strongly influenced by the presence of the EBV genome. The pattern of infiltration is similar to that of other non-head and neck EBV+ solid tumors and different from that of EBV- head and neck carcinomas.
Shpitzer
T
T
Department of Otolaryngology, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kerrebijn
J D
JD
Freeman
J L
JL
Hartwick
W
W
Saiki
Y
Y
Irish
J C
JC
Macmillan
C M
CM
Dosch
H M
HM
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D009418:S100 Proteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1