Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)(1)(2)
Associated Cancer: Lymphoproliferative disease, most commonly Burkitt's Lymphoma. There is increasing evidence EBV is also associated with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Prevalence: It's estimated that more than 90% of the World population is infected with EBV. EBV is responsible for infectious mononucleosis (the 'kissing disease')
Transmission: Mechanism of transmission generally unknown, possibly through saliva
Infection: EBV Infection usually begins in the epithelial cells of the oropharynx, posterior nasopharynx and parathyroid glands. From there EBV infects B cells and persistent infection is established. Almost all cases of EBV infection are controlled by the immune system and infected individuals are asymptomatic (have no symptoms of infection).
Carcinogenic Potential: B cell Infection is necessary for EBV mediated carcinogenesis. Only a small percentage of infections lead to cancer, most cases arising in immunocompromised or transplanted individuals. These patients are especially susceptible because they lack sufficient immune function to inhibit the growth of infected B cells. EBV-mediated carcinogenesis is most likely caused by the actions of viral gene products. Two proteins in particular are thought to play a major role in B cell immortalization; latent membrane proteins (LMP's) and EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA's). LMP1 is inserted into the host cell membrane and acts as an activated growth factor receptor, resulting in unregulated growth. EBNA's affect the cell in many different ways; one pathway leads to altered activity of tumor suppressors including Rb, p53, and Arf.
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