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Epstein-Barr virus gene expression in human breast cancer: protagonist or passenger?
- Source :
- British Journal of Cancer; 7/7/2003, Vol. 89 Issue 1, p113-119, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- The presence and transcriptional expression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded genes, oestrogen receptor (ER) status and degree of lymphocyte infiltration were evaluated in 15 mastectomy-removed breast cancer samples, mostly of ductal origin. With regard to these parameters, the tumours were heterogeneous. Viral genes, including EBNA1 - a universal EBV marker - and others, selected in part on the basis of expression in other EBV-associated carcinomas and/or presence in an epithelial cell immortalising subfragment p31 of viral DNA, were detected in up to 40% of the breast malignancies. The small viral RNAs, EBERs, were not observed. In culture, p31 EBV DNA, alone among EBV fragments, stimulated the growth of human breast-milk epithelial cells. There was no correlation between viral and ER expression and tumours were heterogeneous with regard to their invasive lymphocytes: of three studied in detail, one contained none, another had (mainly) T-lymphocyte aggregates on the tumour periphery, and a third (BC 12) was infiltrated with both T- and B-lymphocytes. BC 12 differed in several aspects from other malignancies in expressing a transcriptional activator (BZLF1) associated with overcoming virus latency, and failing to express a viral oncogene, BARF1. Arguments are given for EBV as a protagonist cocarcinogen in some breast malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00070920
- Volume :
- 89
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- British Journal of Cancer
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 10152669
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6601027