The Epstein–Barr virus and the pathogenesis of lymphoma

Abstract

Since the discovery in 1964 of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in African Burkitt lymphoma, this virus has been associated with a remarkably diverse range of cancer types. Because EBV persists in the B cells of the asymptomatic host, it can easily be envisaged how it contributes to the development of B-cell lymphomas. However, EBV is also found in other cancers, including T-cell/natural killer cell lymphomas and several epithelial malignancies. Explaining the aetiological role of EBV is challenging, partly because the virus probably contributes differently to each tumour and partly because the available disease models cannot adequately recapitulate the subtle variations in the virus-host balance that exist between the different EBV-associated cancers. A further challenge is to identify the co-factors involved; because most persistently infected individuals will never develop an EBV-associated cancer, the virus cannot be working alone. This article will review what is known about the contribution of EBV to lymphoma development.

Epstein-Barr Virus EBNA-2 Polymorphic Patterns in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Southern China

“…Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus that infects over 90% of the human population and has been linked to numerous malignant/benign diseases, including Burkitt's lymphoma, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders, undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), Hodgkin's lymphoma and infectious mononucleosis [1,2,3]. NPC is a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that is closely associated with EBV infection, with a high prevalence in certain regions of Southern China [4,5,6].…”

Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Crohn's Disease Treated with Infliximab

“…This virus from the herpes family is associated with the development of HL, especially in mixed cellularity subtype and in male patients [14] . It is responsible for 30-40% of HL in immunocompetent and 80% in immunocompromised patients.…”

“…Also the relation between EBNA 1 (needed for persistence of latent viral infection) and EBNA 2 (responsible for transformation of EBV-infected lymphocytes) is altered in these patients, with an EBNA 1:EBNA 2 ratio below 1 [15] . EBV can provide an antiapoptotic function, immortalizing the infected B cells [14] . Additionally, thiopurines destroy the natural killer and cytotoxic T cells responsible for the restriction of EBV proliferation; this lack in immunological surveillance allows the emergence of EBV oncogenic effect [12] increasing the risk of lymphoma.…”

Understanding Epstein-Barr Virus Life Cycle with Proteomics: A Temporal Analysis of Ubiquitination During Virus Reactivation

“…E pstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human c-herpesvirus that establishes lifelong persistent infections and is closely associated with several types of cancers, including Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal, and gastric carcinoma (Tsao et al, 2015;Vockerodt et al, 2015). EBV reactivation in latently infected B cells plays a critical role in lifelong persistent infection and transmission to uninfected populations.…”