Predictive Factors of Epstein-Barr Virus Association in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is important to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the setting of gastric cancer so that early viral targeted therapy and prevention can be undertaken. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive clinicopathologic factors for EBV-related gastric cancer. METHODS: The archival tumor tissues from 335 patients with gastric cancer were examined using tissue microarray. The detection of EBV was performed using EBV mRNA in situ hybridization (EBV-ISH), and the results were compared against clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS: EBV-related gastric cancers were identified in 21 of 335 investigated cases (6.27%). The anatomical predisposition of EBV-related cancers to manifest in the upper stomach was statistically significant (p<0.001). EBV-related cancers were almost always (20/21) accompanied by lymphoid stroma. No differences in age, sex, histologic differentiation, or T or N stage were noted between EBV-positive and EBV-negative gastric carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: The association of EBV with gastric adenocarcinomas could be predicted when tumors with lymphoid stroma occurred in the upper stomach.