| Theme | Candidate Causes of H. pylori-Negative Gastric Cancer | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Gastric Carcinoma | |
| Publish Date | 2006/07 | |
| Author | Shosuke Imai | Department of Molecular Microbiology and Infections, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University |
| Author | Masayuki Kuroda | Department of Molecular Microbiology and Infections, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University |
| Author | Norihiro Kotani | Department of Molecular Microbiology and Infections, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University |
| Author | Shigenobu Matsuzaki | Department of Molecular Microbiology and Infections, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University |
| [ Summary ] | Many studies have suggested a causal association of EBV with about 10 % of primary gastric carcinoma cases. In EBV-positive gastric carcinoma, all tumor cells harbor the clonal EBV genome and express certain viral latent genes, implying viral involvement in an earlier phase of gastric carcinoma development. Most EBV-positive gastric carcinomas exhibit lymphocyte infiltration-rich histology (predominantly comprising T cells), which may represent a relatively positive prognosis in EBV-positive cases, compared with EBV-negative cases. The role of EBV in gastric epithelial oncogenesis is now being elucidated. However, since the tissues surrounding EBV-positive tumors are often accompanied by atrophic changes, an etiological link between Helicobacter pylori infection and some EBV-positive gastric carcinoma cases is also suggested. | |