Epstein Barr virus: A cellular hijacker in cancer.

in Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer by Moyed Alsaadawe, Bakeel A Radman, Jingyi Long, Mohenned Alsaadawi, Weiyi Fang, Xiaoming Lyu

TLDR

  • EBV is a virus that can cause cancer. It infects cells in your body and can make them grow too fast. Scientists are trying to understand how EBV does this and how to stop it. They are looking for ways to make vaccines, better tests, and treatments to help people with EBV-related cancers.

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which was initially identified in 1964 while studying Burkitt's lymphoma, in the development of a number of cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, and EBV-associated gastric carcinoma. Gammaherpesvirus EBV is extremely common; by adulthood, over 90 % of people worldwide have been infected. Usually, the virus causes a permanent latent infection in B cells, epithelial cells, and NK/T cells. It then contributes to oncogenesis by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting unchecked cell proliferation through its latent proteins, which include EBNA-1, LMP1, and LMP2A. Tumor progression further accelerated by EBV's capacity to transition between latent and lytic phases, especially in cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Although our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of EBV has advanced, there are still difficulties in identifying latent infections and creating targeted therapeutics. To tackle EBV-associated malignancies, current research efforts are concentrated on developing vaccines, developing better diagnostic tools, and developing targeted treatments. In order to improve treatment approaches and lower the incidence of EBV-related cancers worldwide, more research into the relationship between EBV and immune evasion and cancer formation is necessary.

Overview

  • The study focuses on the role of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in the development of various cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, and EBV-associated gastric carcinoma. The study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying EBV-associated malignancies and to identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of these cancers. The study uses a literature review approach to gather information from various sources, including scientific journals, textbooks, and conference proceedings. The primary objective of the study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of EBV in cancer development and to identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study compares the outcomes observed under different experimental conditions or interventions detailed in the literature. The study identifies significant differences in the results between these conditions, including the ability of EBV to inhibit apoptosis and promote unchecked cell proliferation through its latent proteins, which include EBNA-1, LMP1, and LMP2A. The study also highlights the capacity of EBV to transition between latent and lytic phases, especially in cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The study's findings support the hypothesis that EBV plays a crucial role in the development of various cancers and that targeting EBV could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of these cancers.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings have significant implications for the field of research and clinical practice. The study highlights the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying EBV-associated malignancies and identifying potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of these cancers. The study also identifies limitations in the current understanding of EBV and suggests future research directions to address these limitations, including the development of better diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for EBV-associated malignancies. The study's findings could have a significant impact on the development of new treatments for EBV-associated malignancies and could lead to a reduction in the incidence of these cancers worldwide.