Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2007 Mar;50(3):235-239.

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

• Kim AY
• Roh JL
• Kim JM
• Rha KS
• Park CI

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.

Keyword

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); Head and Neck cancer; In situ hybridization; Causative factor; Endemic area

MeSH Terms

Burkitt Lymphoma
Capsid
Head and Neck Neoplasms*
Head*
Herpesvirus 4, Human*
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
In Situ Hybridization
Incidence
Lymphoma
Neck
Neoplasm Staging
Oncogenes
Parotid Gland
Pathology
Serologic Tests
Smoke
Smoking
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Smoke