The objective is to elucidate the nature of the strong association between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Two specific questions are asked. 1. Does NPC-specific EBV exist? 2. Is the EBV indispensible in the pathogenesis of NPC? Answers to the two questions will be obtained by the following procedures. 1. EBV will be isolated from NPC tissues obtained in Hong Kong and China. EBV-derived from organ NPC biopsy will be compared with those derived from other NPC biopsies (i.e. other NPC patients). All the NPC-derived EBV will also be compared with those from healthy controls in Hong Kong and China and with those from infectious mononucleosis patients and healthy controls in Davis, California. The comparison will be based on DNA and antigenic analysis. 2. At least 100 NPC biopsies will be tested for cells positive for the EBV-associated nuclear antigens (EBNA). Specimens negative for EBNA will be tested for EBV DNA sequences. 3. All NPC patients who are negative for IgA anti VCA (EBV viral capsid antigen) will be tested for IgG anti VCA. Through the comparison of EBV isolates from diverse sources, data regarding similarities and differences among NPC-derived EBV and between NPC-derived EBV and EBV from other sources should become available. With these data, it should be possible to determine if NPC-specific EBV exists. After studying 100 or more NPC biopsies, one will have data on the presence of EBV in each biopsy. If one or more biopsies is free of EBV, the conclusion will have to be that EBV is not indispensable in the pathogenesis of NPC. If one or more NPC patient(s) is negative for IgG anti VCA, it is reasonable to conclude that the EBV is not an essential factor in the pathogenesis of NPC. (IgG anti VCA is a reliable indicator of past EBV infection; a negative IgG anti VCA reaction indicates no prior exposure to the EBV.)

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA043051-03
Application #
3184913
Study Section
Experimental Virology Study Section (EVR)
Project Start
1986-09-30
Project End
1991-01-31
Budget Start
1989-02-01
Budget End
1991-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
Chang, R S; Lung, M L (1994) A modified procedure for the propagation of wild type Epstein-Barr virus in cultures of marmoset blood cells. J Virol Methods 46:167-78
Lung, M L; Lam, W P; Chan, K H et al. (1992) Direct detection of Epstein-Barr virus in peripheral blood and comparison of Epstein-Barr virus genotypes present in direct specimens and lymphoblastoid cell lines established from nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and healthy carriers in Hong Kong. Int J Cancer 52:174-7
Lung, M L; Li, S B; Chang, R S (1991) Study of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transmission by EBV genotyping. J Infect Dis 164:213-4
Tsao, S Y; He, Y; Cheng, P M et al. (1991) Epstein-Barr virus in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal secretions of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and control subjects. Intervirology 32:209-15
Yeatman, T J; Kimura, A K; Copeland 3rd, E M et al. (1991) Rapid analysis of carcinoembryonic antigen levels in gallbladder bile. Identification of patients at high risk of colorectal liver metastasis. Ann Surg 213:113-7
Lung, M L; Chang, R S (1990) Longitudinal study of Epstein-Barr virus genotypes associated with infectious mononucleosis patients and healthy carriers. J Infect Dis 162:994-5
Dan, R; Chang, R S (1990) A prospective study of primary Epstein-Barr virus infections among university students in Hong Kong. Am J Trop Med Hyg 42:380-5
Lung, M L; Chang, R S; Huang, M L et al. (1990) Epstein-Barr virus genotypes associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in southern China. Virology 177:44-53
Yeatman, T J; Bland, K I; Copeland 3rd, E M et al. (1989) Tumor cell-surface galactose correlates with the degree of colorectal liver metastasis. J Surg Res 46:567-71
Lung, M L; Chang, R S; Jones, J H (1988) Genetic polymorphism of natural Epstein-Barr virus isolates from infectious mononucleosis patients and healthy carriers. J Virol 62:3862-6

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