Detection of the Epstein-Barr virus in primary adenocarcinoma of the lung with Signet-ring cells.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is directly implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of undifferentiated carcinomas and has also been identified in conventional adenocarcinomas of the stomach. To date, the association of EBV with non-small cell lung carcinoma is restricted to Asian patients. To evaluate the presence of EBV in lung cancers from Europeans, we investigated primary lung adenocarcinomas with a similar morphological tumour pattern to those of the stomach, specifically rare tumours with components of signet-ring cells. Three tumours of signet-ring cell type were examined by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To localise the virus to the neoplastic cells, in situ hybridisation (ISH) was performed using an antisense Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA probe. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) and EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA-2). PCR investigation confirmed the presence of EBV in one case. Positive signals confined to tumour cells were present on ISH. None of the tumours showed expression of LMP-1 and EBNA-2. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of EBV in primary adenocarcinoma of the lung in a Caucasian patient. The present study indicates that EBV may infect some lung cancers with a specific tumour pattern.
Department of Pathology and Bacteriology, SMZ Otto Wagner Hospital, Baumgartner Höhe 1, 1145 Vienna, Austria. Monika.Huber@OWS.magwien.gv.at
Monika
M
Huber
Borislava
B
Pavlova
Helmut
H
Mühlberger
Peter
P
Hollaus
Felix
F
Lintner
D000368:Aged; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014764:Viral Proteins
C402641:EBNA-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins