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A possible role for Epstein-Barr virus in tumorigenesis after immunosuppression in cases of renal transplantation

  • Original Papers
  • Clinical Oncology
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Abstract

Eight secondary malignancies developing after renal transplantation were investigated in terms of a possible role of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In five cases, four gastric cancers and one colonic cancer, the presence of EBV was proven by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), all four gastric lesions being confirmed to have a massive EBV infection by in situ hydridization. Two cases demonstrated monoclonal infection with EBV, as indicated by a single band of the lymphocyte-defined membrane antigen tandem-repeat gene using PCR, and were immunohistochemically positive for the latente membrane protein 1. Our series suggests that gastrointestinal cancer predominates as a secondary malignancy in states of induced severe immunosuppression, and that EBV may play an important role in tumorigenesis as an oncovirus.

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Abbreviations

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

ISH:

in situ hybridization

EBV:

Epstein-Barr virus

IR:

internal repeat

LYOMA:

lymphocyte-determined membrane antigen

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, 228, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

    T. Suzuki, Y. Takano, K. Yamashita & M. Okudaira

  2. Department of Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, 228, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

    K. Sato & A. Kakita

Authors
  1. T. Suzuki
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  2. Y. Takano
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  3. K. Yamashita
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  4. K. Sato
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  5. A. Kakita
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  6. M. Okudaira
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Suzuki, T., Takano, Y., Yamashita, K. et al. A possible role for Epstein-Barr virus in tumorigenesis after immunosuppression in cases of renal transplantation. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 119, 627–629 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01372727

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01372727

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