Prognostic impact of EBV-related LMP-1, histologic type, and environmental factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a German population.
BACKGROUND
This retrospective study addressed the possible involvement of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, in particular LMP-1 expression, and further exogenous factors, i.e. tobacco, alcohol and occupational hazardous substances, in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a German population.


METHODS
From 1980 to 2000, 44 patients suffering from histologically confirmed NPC were entered into the study. 33 specimens were available for immunostaining (IHC) to analyze LMP-1 expression. Information about environmental exposures were obtained employing a detailed standardized questionnaire.


RESULTS
Outcome of patients with squamous cell NPC (SC-NPC) was significant worse than that of those with non-keratinizing NPC (NK-NPC). Age and tumor size correlated with response to therapy. The group with negative conventional LMP-1 staining showed better overall survival after 5 years compared to the group with positive or marginally positive LMP-1 detection (not significant). Nevertheless, after staining by tyramid-augmented IHC (TSA-IHC), nearly all specimens with negative LMP-1-staining in conventional IHC were found to be clearly positive. All patients with SC-NPC were smokers. The distribution of smokers and non-smokers in the group of NK-NPC was balanced. Comparable to the tobacco observation, there was also a correlation between high alcohol consumption and SC-NPC.


CONCLUSIONS
Prognosis of NPC is mainly dependent on histologic type. Prognostic impact of LMP-1 is still unclear since LMP-1 was detected in all specimens using TSA-IHC. Therefore, TSA-IHC-LMP-1 detection might be interesting for diagnostic specification and development of new therapeutic strategies in NPC.
Dietz
A
A
Klinik und Poilklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Plastische Operationen, Universität Leipzig, Germany. berit.koch@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Logothetis
C A
CA
Helbig
M
M
Flechtenmacher
C
C
Rudat
V
V
Dollner
R
R
Wallner
F
F
Bosch
F X
FX
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012897:Slow Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; C484380:PDLIM7 protein, human