| Theme |
Candidate Causes of H. pylori-Negative Gastric Cancer |
| Title |
Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Gastric Carcinoma |
| 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. |