Association of Epstein-Barr Virus and Head and Neck Cancer in an Endemic Area / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A number of reports have suggested that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with different forms of head and neck cancers (HNC) such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, NK/T cell lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. We evaluated the association of EBV with HNC as a causative factor in an endemic area of the virus. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fresh specimens of HNC were obtained from 72 new patients between August 2003 and January 2005. In situ hybridization for EBER was performed with immunohistochemical staining of p53, Bcl-2 and LMP-1 and serologic tests on anti-viral capsid antigen(VCA) and anti-early antigen (EA)-D. The results of EBV positivity were analyzed according to tumor TNM stages, sites, pathology and smoking status. A correlation between EBV positivity and p53, Bcl-2, LMP-1 positive staining was investigated. RESULTS: Nine (12%) of the total 72 patients showed EBV positivity of tumor, depending mainly on pathology and sites, but not tumor staging, age, sex or smoking status NPC (3), NK/T cell lymphoma (5), lymphoephithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland (1). All patients had sero-positivity of anti-VCA IgG but not anti-VCA IgM and anti-EA-D. There was a relationship between the presence of EBV, its oncoprotein (LMP-1) and oncogene (Bcl-2). CONCLUSION: Overall, the incidence of EBV positivity of HNC in an endemic area is not significantly different from the prior reports about non-endemic area. The association between EBV and LMP-1 or Bcl-2 may be helpful for understanding the role of viral oncogenes in the HNC.