Prognostic significance of the Epstein-Barr virus, p53, Bcl-2, and survivin in nasopharyngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a malignant epithelial carcinoma which is intimately associated with EBV. The latent presence of EBV affects the function of p53, Bcl-2, and survivin. We thus investigated the relationship between EBV status, p53, Bcl-2, and survivin in biopsy specimens from patients with primary NPC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded NPC biopsies were evaluated in 80 patients treated with curative radiation from a single institution. The presence of EBV was determined using EBER in situ hybridization, whereas p53, Bcl-2, and survivin were assessed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The majority of NPC specimens in this patient cohort were EBER-positive (64 of 78, or 82%), which in turn, was significantly associated with ethnicity (P = 0.0007), and WHO subtype 2A/2B (P = 0.04). EBER-positive tumors were also associated with p53 (P = 0.002), Bcl-2 (P = 0.04), and nuclear survivin (P = 0.03) expression. Patients with EBER-positive NPC fared better, with a 10-year overall survival of 68% versus 48% for EBER-negative patients (P = 0.03). For nuclear survivin, patients with either low or high nuclear survivin fared worse than patients with intermediate survivin expression (P = 0.05), suggesting that there is an optimal proportion of survivin-expressing cells for best function and clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: With an extended median follow-up time of 11.4 years, EBV status remains a strong predictor for overall survival in NPC. EBV-positive NPC has strong molecular associations with p53, Bcl-2, and survivin expression. Furthermore, we provide clinical data revealing the potentially dual nature of survivin in predicting clinical outcome.     

Loss of p16 expression has prognostic significance in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: p16 is an important inhibitor of cell cycle progression; absence of p16 can thus result in increased cellular proliferation. In nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), absence of p16 has been reported in association with presence of the EBV and pRb. We therefore examined p16, pRb, and EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) expression in biopsy specimens from 84 patients with newly diagnosed NPC, who were treated primarily with curative radiation therapy. Our objective was to determine whether there was a correlation between these parameters and clinical outcome in NPC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Sections were cut from archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor blocks from NPC patients. p16 and pRb expression were determined using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, respectively. The presence of EBV was determined by in situ hybridization for EBER. The percentage of positively staining tumor nuclei was scored for p16 or pRb immunoreactivity. Relative intensity and proportion of cells with EBER signals were also documented. RESULTS: p16 expression was reduced (相似文献   

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

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.     

Serum EBV DNA as a biomarker in primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma of Indian origin

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a unique tumor due to its etiology and endemic distribution. Ethnic and regional factors are found to strongly influence the risk of disease; however, there have been no well-conducted studies on Indian patients. The present study assesses the relationship between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and sporadic Indian NPC and the role of serum EBV DNA in NPC detection. METHODS: Primers directed against non-polymorphic Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) gene were used to detect the presence of EBV DNA from fresh tissue and serum in NPC, using PCR. RESULTS: EBV DNA was detected in 69% of the biopsies and 58% of the serum of the NPC patients. With respect to histology, WHO Type III NPC, WHO Type II tumors and WHO I tumors showed 100%, 72.2% and 33% EBV positivity, respectively. EBV positivity was also observed in 23% (6/26) of benign samples. All biopsies of patients with positive serum samples were positive for EBV DNA. CONCLUSION: EBV infection was found in sporadic NPC of South Indian origin, which confirms the etiological role of EBV in NPC. Detection of EBNA-1 in the serum and corresponding tissues of NPC patients suggests that the serum EBV DNA originates from NPC and also indicates the benefit of circulating viral DNA as an early marker in the diagnosis of NPC. Serum DNA-PCR methods can be extrapolated to follow-up studies involving tumor regression or to assess the response to various therapies.     

不同类型淋巴瘤438例EB病毒分布特点

目的 探讨不同类型淋巴瘤中EB病毒(EBV)的分布特点.方法 选用免疫组织化学EnVision法标记ALK1、CD3、CD5、CD7、CD10、CD15、CD20、CD23、CD30、CD38、CD43、CD56、CD68、CD79、CD99、CyclinD1、EMA、TdT与EBV潜伏膜蛋白(LMP-1),原位杂交技术标记EBV编码的RNA(EBER).按照2008年WHO淋巴造血系统肿瘤分类标准对存档的438例淋巴瘤组织标本重新分类.结果 在B细胞非霍奇金淋巴瘤(B-NHL)、NK/T细胞淋巴瘤和霍奇金淋巴瘤(HL)中EBER阳性率分别是5.4％(14/261)、16.5％(19/115)和59.7％(37/62),LMP-1阳性率分别为5.4％(14/261)、5.2％(6/115)和59.7％(37/62).弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)患者中,EBER在60岁以上组中的阳性率(13.2％,7/53)明显高于60岁及以下组(1.2％,1/81)(P＜0.05);在NK/T细胞淋巴瘤中LMP-1蛋白表达与EBER表达具有不一致性,EBER阳性率明显高于LMP-1(P＜0.05);5例鼻型NK/T细胞淋巴瘤中全部表达EBER;在HL淋巴瘤中LMP-1蛋白表达与EBER表达具有一致性.结论 EBV感染与淋巴瘤类型相关,EBV在鼻型NK/T细胞淋巴瘤中表达率高,HL次之.鉴于EBER与LMP-1在HL中的一致性表达,出于经济学考虑,LMP-1可代替EBER用作EBV的检测.EBV可能在鼻型NK/T细胞淋巴瘤、HL等的发生、发展中有重要作用.     

Epstein‐Barr virus positivity is associated with angiogenesis in,and poorer survival of,patients receiving standard treatment for classical Hodgkin's lymphoma

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is a significant contributor to the development of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL). Recent studies have documented associations between angiogenesis and EBV‐associated malignancies. No study has yet examined the associations among, and prognostic implications of, EBV infection, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and microvessel density (MVD) in cHL patients. Diagnostic tissues from 135 cHL patients treated with adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) were retrospectively evaluated by in situ hybridization of EBV‐encoded small RNA (EBER) and immunohistochemical staining for VEGF and CD31 (a measure of MVD). EBER and VEGF expression were positively correlated (P = 0.038). The mean MVD value of EBER‐positive tumors was significantly higher than that of EBER‐negative tumors (P = 0.034). The mean MVD of tumors positive for both EBER and VEGF was significantly higher than that of tumors negative for both markers (P = 0.008). EBER‐positive patients had a lower 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate than EBER‐negative patients (P = 0.046). A high MVD was also associated with a poorer OS (P = 0.01); multivariate analysis showed that this was a significant and independent prognostic factor (P = 0.026). We found positive correlations between EBER and VEGF levels, and the MVD, indicating that EBV plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis. Targeting of both angiogenesis and EBV may be important when treating cHL patients who are EBER‐positive and/or have a high MVD.     

Angiogenesis and p53 expression in the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence

Angiogenesis, the formation of new vessels, is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Mutations of p53 tumor suppressor gene are frequent and play an important role in colorectal oncogenesis. A role of p53 as an angiogenesis inhibitor has also been proposed. We evaluated angiogenesis and p53 expression in 16 hyperplastic polyps, 35 solitary tubular and tubulovillous adenomas, and 47 cases of sporadic colorectal carcinomas arising on the basis of preexisting adenomas, with standard immunohistochemical techniques. The mean microvessel density (MVD) in carcinomas was significantly higher compared with the respective adenomatous part of the same tumor (27.9 vs. 7; P=0.0001). Linear regression analysis of MVD between cancerous and adenomatous areas showed a significant correlation (P = 0.0001, r = 0.56), raising the possibility that carcinomas arising from better vascularized adenomas might show increased vascularity. The MVD was significantly higher in stage C compared with stage A cases (P=0.04). p53 positivity was detected in 26 of 47 cancerous (55%) and in 14 of 47 adenomatous areas (30%; P = 0.0002). All carcinomas arising from p53-positive adenomas were also p53 positive. p53 positivity associated with a higher MVD in adenomas (P = 0.02), but not in carcinomas (P = 0.78). We conclude that angiogenesis and p53 play a critical role in colorectal neoplasia, and the process of malignant transformation in tumors arising from highly angiogenic adenomas, particularly those carrying p53 mutations, is accelerated with rapid tumor progression from stage to stage, indicating a more aggressive tumor phenotype.     

Microvessel Density and Status of p53 Protein as Potential Prognostic Factors for Adjuvant Anthracycline Chemotherapy in Retrospective Analysis of Early Breast Cancer Patients Group

A considerable subgroup of patients with early breast cancer does not address benefits of anthracycline based chemotherapy. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effect of microvessel density (MVD) and status of p53 protein on 5-year disease free survival (DFS) in the group of breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines in adjuvant setting. Correlations between MVD, p53 status and other clinicopathological parameters were also assessed. MVD and p53 status were analyzed immunohistochemically in the group of 172 women with breast cancer in clinical stage T1-2, N1-N2, M0. There were 123 tumors (71.5?%) with lower MVD (≤214.8 microvesells/mm(2)) and 49 (28.5?%) with higher MVD (>214.8 microvesells/mm(2)). The proportion of higher MVD tumors significantly increased in N2 (P?=?0.000) and in estrogen (P?=?0.046) or progesterone receptors (P?=?0.029) negative tumors. p53 positivity was indicated in 50 cancers (29.1?%) and was significantly associated with higher grade (P?=?0.000), steroid receptors negativity (P?=?0.000), cytokeratin5/6 positivity (P?=?0.026), topoisomerase IIα overexpression (P?=?0.005) and higher proliferation rate (P?=?0.001). In univariate analysis, higher MVD (P?=?0.016) and p53 negativity (P?=?0.023) were significantly related with longer DFS (median follow-up 36?months). In multivariate Cox regression analysis MVD was independently associated with DFS. These data suggest that higher MVD is favourable prognostic factors for early advanced breast cancer patients after adjuvant anthracycline based chemotherapy.     

High risk Epstein-Barr virus variants characterized by distinct polymorphisms in the EBER locus are strongly associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Whether certain variants of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are linked to the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which shows a marked geographic restriction, remains an unresolved issue. We performed a case–control study comparing genomic sequences of EBV isolated from saliva samples of 142 population carriers with those from primary tumour biopsies derived from 62 patients with NPC of Hong Kong. Cluster analysis discovered five EBV subgroups 1A-C and 2A-B amongst the population carriers in contrast to the predominance of 1A and -B in the majority of NPC. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified a panel of NPC-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels in the EBER locus. The most significant polymorphism, which can be found in 96.8% NPC cases and 40.1% population carriers of Hong Kong, is a four-base-deletion polymorphism downstream of EBER2 (EBER-del) from coordinates 7188–7191 (p = 1.91 × 10⁻⁷). In addition, the predicted secondary structure of EBER2 is altered with likely functional consequence in nearly all NPC cases. Using the SNPs and indels associated with NPC, genetic risk score is assigned for each EBV variant. EBV variants with high genetic risk score are found to be much more prevalent in Hong Kong Chinese than individuals of other geographic regions and in NPC than other EBV-associated cancers. We conclude that high risk EBV variants with polymorphisms in the EBER locus, designated as HKNPC-EBERvar, are strongly associated with NPC. Further investigation of the biological function and potential clinical application of these newly identified polymorphisms in NPC and other EBV-associated cancers is warranted.     

血浆EB病毒DNA浓度预测鼻咽癌远处转移的研究

背景与目的：鼻咽癌治疗失败的主要原因之一是远处转移,近年多项放化疗综合治疗的临床研究未显示出明显的远处转移率的降低和远期生存的获益,综合治疗适宜个体及最佳模式尚未确立。血浆EB病毒DNA（EBV DNA）浓度是一项能反映鼻咽癌分期、治疗反应、预后的灵敏、特异的分子生物学指标。我们设计此前瞻性研究。探讨通过鼻咽癌患者血浆EBV DNA浓度预测远处转移的发生．为个体化的综合治疗模式的选择提供分子学指标。方法：69例初治鼻咽癌患者分别在治疗前和治疗结束时采用荧光定量PCR方法检测血浆EBV DNA浓度。所有患者按计划随访。进行远期疗效及生存的评价。Kaplan-Meier法计算无转移生存率及总生存率,多因素分析用Cox回归模型。结果：远处转移患者治疗前血浆EBV DNA中位浓度（27 000copies／m1）及治疗后EBVDNA检出率（55．56％）均高于持续缓解者（4 000 copies／ml,5．56％）及局部复发者（3 850 copies／ml,0％）（P值分别为0．039,0．001）。以治疗前20 000 copies／ml、治疗后0 copies／ml为界值点．EBV DNA低浓度患者的无复发生存率、无转移生存率及总生存率均高于高浓度患者,差异有显著性。Cox回归分析显示治疗前EBV DNA浓度（P=0．050,RR=3．95）、治疗后EBVDNA浓度（P=0．001,RR=11．74）均是影响无转移生存的危险因素。进一步将患者治疗前后EBVDNA浓度变化综合进行生存分析,结果表明治疗后EBV DNA浓度能否降到0是影响无转移生存最重要的预后因素（P=0．000）。结论：鼻咽癌患者治疗前、后血浆EBV DNA浓度,尤其是治疗后能否降到0．能预测远处转移的发生,有望为放化综合治疗筛选高危患者,指导放化结合模式的选择。     

Relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma: immunostaining patterns in relation to survival

Patients with relapsing Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) have a rather poor prognosis and mechanisms that lead to resistance to therapy are poorly understood. Our aims were to investigate the immunohistochemical staining patterns of Rb (retinoblastoma protein) and the p53 tumour suppressor protein in HL at initial presentation and at relapse in order to elucidate a possible role in disease progression and resistance to therapy. Further to evaluate the presence and prognostic importance of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Eighty-one cases of relapsing HL were reexamined histopathologically and immunostained for the expression of p53, Rb, ALK and CD30. EBV was detected with LMP-1 stainings and in situ hybridisation for EBER. Clinical data were extracted from the Swedish National Health Care Programme for HL. Median follow-up time was six years (range 0-12) from the date of relapse. The majority of cases were positive for p53 and Rb both at presentation and at relapse, though to a different extent. Both an increase and a decrease in the proportion of stained tumour cells were observed. None of our cases was ALK-positive and 44% were EBV-positive. No specific staining pattern was directly correlated to survival. In 12 patients a switch in HL subtype from diagnosis to relapse was observed and the five-year Hodgkin-specific survival (HLS) was statistically significantly inferior, 37 vs 81% (p = 0.002), in those patients. We found a significant relation between the expression of p53 and EBV at diagnosis and relapse, indicating a clonal relationship. We were unable to find any specific staining pattern of p53 or Rb, affecting survival.     

Involvement of the epstein-barr virus in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma pathogenesis

The aim of this study was to discuss the relevance of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), analyzing the variations of several molecules potentially involved in the pathogenesis of this cancer. EBV was detected in all the NPC samples by several techniques including PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical methodologies. CD21 membrane receptor was absent after EBV infection, being a differential morphological feature of the tumoral cells. Latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1), an oncogenic viral product, was detected in a high percentage of samples, supporting a role for EBV in the pathogenesis of NPC. Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein up-regulated by LMP1, was also overexpressed, coinciding with the majority of samples positive for LMP1. Finally, p53 presented abnormalities only in a low percentage of samples. These results reinforce the role of the EBV in the NPC discussing several potential mechanisms of pathogenesis in this neoplasia.     

Comparison of the prognostic impact of serum anti-EBV antibody and plasma EBV DNA assays in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been proven as an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cancer. Serum anti-EBV antibodies and plasma EBV DNA have been investigated as surrogate markers for NPC. A comparison of the prognostic impacts of both assays has never been reported. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Paired serum and plasma samples from 114 previously untreated NPC patients were collected and subjected to an immunofluorescence assay for immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antibodies against the viral capsid antigen (VCA) and a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for EBV DNA measurement. The effects of both assays on patient prognosis were thoroughly investigated. RESULTS: Relapsed patients had significantly higher pretreatment EBV DNA concentration than patients without relapse (p = 0.0006). No associations of VCA-IgA (p = 0.9669) or VCA-IgG (p = 0.6125) were observed between patients with and without relapse. The 4-year overall survival (60.3% vs. 93.1%, p < 0.0001) and relapse-free survival rates (54.4% vs. 77.9%, p = 0.0009) were significantly lower in patients with higher pretreatment EBV DNA load than in those with lower EBV DNA load. Patients with persistently detectable EBV DNA after treatment had significantly worse 4-year overall (30.8% vs. 84.6%, p < 0.0001) and relapse-free survival rates (15.4% vs. 74.0%, p < 0.0001) than those with undetectable EBV DNA. The VCA-IgA and VCA-IgG titer could not predict survivals (all p > 0.1). Cox multivariate analyses also showed the same results. CONCLUSION: Plasma EBV DNA is superior to serum EBV VCA antibodies in prognostic predictions for NPC.     

ABO Blood Group,Epstein-Barr virus Infection and Prognosis of Patients with Non-metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background: A prior study showed blood type A/AB to be associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to subjects with blood type O. However, the relationship between ABO blood groups and prognosis of NPC patients is still questionable. In addition, whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with prognosis of NPC patients with different ABO blood groups is unclear. Materials and Methods: We conducted univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses based on a consecutive cohort of 1,601 patients to investigate the above issues. Results: There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between different ABO blood groups (p=0.629), neither between A vs. non-A blood groups (p=0.895) nor AB vs. non-ABblood group (p=0.309) in univariate analyses and after adjusting for other factors. Interaction tests revealed that high immunoglobulin A against Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen (VcA-IgA) level was associated with a favorable prognosis in male patients with UICC stage II disease who had an A blood type (p=0.008), compared with those with non-A blood type. In addition, male patients with an A blood group with a high blood lymphocyte level showeda tendency towards better survival in UICC stage III (p=0.096). Conclusions: ABO blood group status is not associated with the prognosis of patients with NPC. Additionally, blood group A male NPC patients with high VcA-IgA level or high blood lymphocyte counts might be correlated with a favorable prognosis in UICC stage II or III, respectively.     

Circulation EBV Mir-Bart-7 Relating to Clinical Manifestation in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is an endemic head and neck malignancy in Asia Pacific regions that is associated with chronic infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV miR-BART-7 is a microRNA (miRNA) encoded by EBV that regulates malignant behavior of NPC. However, the role and function of miR-BART7 are not clear, particularly the relation of circulating levels and patient’s clinical presentation. Methods: Circulating miR-BART-7 levels were measured by using qRT-PCR and were correlated with clinical and pathological data. Result: Of 52 NPC patients included in this study, 85% were diagnosed in the late stages (Stage III-IV). 73% of tumors were non-keratinizing undifferentiated NPC, 92% of tumors were WHO class III histology and all cases were EBV-IgA positive. Over-expression of miR-BART7-3p was correlated with positive regional lymph nodes in newly diagnosed (4.61 fold changes, p <0.05). Conclusion: Over-expression of circulating EBV miR-BART7 correlated with positive regional lymph nodes reflecting the diagnostic and prognostic values of circulating miR-BART7 for patients with NPC.