title: Overexpression of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded microRNA-BART7 in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To validate Epstein-Barr virus BamHI-A rightward transcript 7 microRNA (ebv-miR-BART7) expression in plasma from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and explore the oncogenic role of ebv-miR-BART7 in NPC cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma ebv-miR-BART7 levels were measured using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Effects on cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and resistance to cisplatin were studied on NPC cells using real-time cell analyzer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plasma ebv-miR-BART7 level was significantly higher in patients with NPC in comparison with that from healthy individuals. The ebv-miR-BART7 was detectable in all the patient plasma samples and was independent of the EBV DNA level. In vitro expression of ebv-miR-BART7 enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. Furthermore, NPC cells expressing ebv-miR-BART7 were more resistant to cisplatin. High-throughput gene expression analysis suggested that ebv-miR-BART7 affects multiple cancer-related pathways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that plasma ebv-miR-BART7 could be used in NPC screening, especially in cases where EBV DNA is not detectable. The association of ebv-miR-BART7 with common oncogenic pathways suggests that ebv-miR-BART7 is a potential biomarker for undifferentiated NPC.
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, China.
authors: Jimmy Yu-Wai
authors: JY
authors: Chan
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Gao
authors: Wai-Kuen
authors: WK
authors: Ho
authors: William Ignace
authors: WI
authors: Wei
authors: Thian-Sze
authors: TS
authors: Wong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D035683:MicroRNAs