Prognostic significance of EBV-LMP1 and VEGF-A expressions in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
OBJECTIVE
EBV is an important virus in the pathogenesis of NHL. VEGF-A is the essential factor in tumor angiogenesis. There is evidence of cross talk between angiogenesis and viral carcinogenesis. The viral latent protein LMP1, may play a role by inducing expression of angiogenic factors In this study EBV-LMP1 and VEGF-A expressions have been studied in cases with NHL and prognostic significance of these has been evaluated.


METHODS
One hundred seventy-seven cases (60 had low grade lymphoma (LGL), 117 had aggressive lymphoma (AL)) with NHL have been included in this analysis. Immunohistochemistry has been used for the detection of EBV and VEGF-A.


RESULTS
EBV was found in 25 cases (14%); 5 of 60 cases with LGL while 20 of 117 cases with AL had EBV positivity; (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 0.8-6.3, p=0.113). VEGF-A expression was found in 108 cases (61%); 30 of 60 cases with LGL and 78 of 117 cases with AL showed VEGF-A expression. There was an association between VEGF-A and aggressive histology (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8, p=0.031). EBV positivity was associated with VEGF-A expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (0.045). Mean Survival rates were shorter in EBV (+) and/or VEGF-A (+) cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Highly significant association between VEGF-A and EBV expression and survival rate, suggests an association between angiogenesis and viral lymphomagenesis. Targeting both the angiogenesis and EBV may be important in the therapy of cases with NHL expressing EBV and/or VEGF-A.
Paydas
Semra
S
Department of Oncology, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey. sepay@cu.edu.tr
Ergin
Melek
M
Erdogan
Seyda
S
Seydaoglu
Gulsah
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins