title: Expression of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA and biological markers in Italian nasopharingeal carcinomas.
abstract: Nasopharingeal carcinoma (NPC) is frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but little is known about its pathogenesis in Western countries, where its incidence is low and EBV is not endemic. We studied 26 Italian cases of NPC: 24 of the non-keratinizing subtype, and 2 keratinizing. We used immunohistochemistry to evaluate p53, bcl-2 and Ki-67 protein expression, and in situ hybridization (ISH) to assess bcl-2 mRNA and the EBV transcript, EBER1, with bcl-2 protein and mRNA expression being compared in serial sections. As regards bcl-2, the protein or mRNA was expressed in 15/26 (58%) and 17 (65%) cases respectively, with co-expression being found only in 9 (35%) cases; 23 (88%) cases were positive for one or the other. EBER1 was detected in 17/26 (65%) cases, of which 80% and 71% coexpressed bcl-2 protein or mRNA, respectively. Only 9/26 (35%) cases had a high Ki67 proliferative index; 3/26 (12%) overexpressed p53. This study of NPC in Italy confirms the importance of EBV and bcl-2 in Western cases. The discrepancy between bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression invites investigation into a possible internal bcl-2 regulation system.
authors.affiliation: Istituto F. Addarii, Unità di Anatomia, Istologia e Citologia Patologica, Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gabusi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lattes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiorentino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Errico
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Grigioni
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D019254:Genes, bcl-2; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007558:Italy; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53