Association of Epstein-Barr virus with tumor cell proliferation: Clinical implication in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

  • Authors:
    • Taro Kijima
    • Noriko Kinukawa
    • William E. Gooding
    • Masatsune Uno
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 1, 2001     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.18.3.479
  • Pages: 479-485
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Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by its association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Unlike other upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinomas, clinical and pathologic features are unable to predict outcome in NPC. EBV has been demonstrated to have transforming potential in B-cell systems so that its infection can rapidly and efficiently induce sustained lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. However, the relationship between cell proliferation and EBV infection in NPC has not been previously reported. This study was designed to determine the association of EBV infection and NPC tumor cell proliferation. Cell proliferation index, as measured by two markers, PCNA and Ki-67, were moderately correlated (r=0.534, p=0.033). Quantitative analysis of EBV positivity was highly correlated with both cell proliferation indices (r=0.802, p=0.0039 and r=0.720, p=0.0174 for PCNA and Ki-67, respectively). TNM staging did not demonstrate prognostic significance. NPC patients whose tumors were EBV positive demonstrated increased survival compared with patients whose tumors were EBV negative (p=0.043). These results indicate that EBV infection may regulate cell proliferation in NPC and the presence of EBV can be used as a positive prognostic factor.

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March 2001
Volume 18 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Kijima T, Kinukawa N, Gooding WE and Uno M: Association of Epstein-Barr virus with tumor cell proliferation: Clinical implication in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Int J Oncol 18: 479-485, 2001
APA
Kijima, T., Kinukawa, N., Gooding, W.E., & Uno, M. (2001). Association of Epstein-Barr virus with tumor cell proliferation: Clinical implication in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. International Journal of Oncology, 18, 479-485. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.18.3.479
MLA
Kijima, T., Kinukawa, N., Gooding, W. E., Uno, M."Association of Epstein-Barr virus with tumor cell proliferation: Clinical implication in nasopharyngeal carcinoma". International Journal of Oncology 18.3 (2001): 479-485.
Chicago
Kijima, T., Kinukawa, N., Gooding, W. E., Uno, M."Association of Epstein-Barr virus with tumor cell proliferation: Clinical implication in nasopharyngeal carcinoma". International Journal of Oncology 18, no. 3 (2001): 479-485. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.18.3.479