Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with virtually all cases of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and has been classified as a group I carcinogen. In addition to its potential role in the pathogenesis of NPC, EBV also provides a possible target for immunotherapy of NPC, since a limited number of viral genes are expressed in the neoplastic cells. The EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) is considered a promising target since it provides epitopes recognized by EBV-specific T-cells. Using immunohistochemistry, the present study shows that LMP2A is expressed at the protein level in the neoplastic cells of 16 of 35 (45.7%) NPC biopsies. This finding provides further evidence suggesting that NPC tumour cells may be susceptible to lysis by cytotoxic T-cells directed against LMP2A and should encourage efforts to develop immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of NPC.
Heussinger
Nicole
N
Institute for Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Krankenhausstrasse 8-10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Büttner
Maike
M
Ott
German
G
Brachtel
Elena
E
Pilch
Ben Z
BZ
Kremmer
Elisabeth
E
Niedobitek
Gerald
G
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000821:virology; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins