Prognostic Impact of EBV-Related LMP-1, Histologic Type, and Environmental Factors in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in a German Population

Abstract

Introduction: This retrospective study addressed the possible involvement of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, in particular LMP-1 expression, and further exogenous factors, i.e. tobacco, alcohol and occupational hazardous substances, in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a German population. Patients and Methods: From 1980 to 2000, 44 patients suffering from histologically confirmed NPC were entered into the study. 33 specimens were available for immunostaining (IHC) to analyze LMP-1 expression. Information about environmental exposures were obtained employing a detailed standardized questionnaire. Results: Outcome of patients with squamous cell NPC (SC-NPC) was significant worse than that of those with non-keratinizing NPC (NK-NPC). Age and tumor size correlated with response to therapy. The group with negative conventional LMP-1 staining showed better overall survival after 5 years compared to the group with positive or marginally positive LMP-1 detection (not significant). Nevertheless, after staining by tyramid- augmented IHC (TSA-IHC), nearly all specimens with negative LMP-1-staining in conventional IHC were found to be clearly positive. All patients with SC-NPC were smokers. The distribution of smokers and non-smokers in the group of NK-NPC was balanced. Comparable to the tobacco observation, there was also a correlation between high alcohol consumption and SC-NPC. Conclusion: Prognosis of NPC is mainly dependent on histologic type. Prognostic impact of LMP-1 is still unclear since LMP-1 was detected in all specimens using TSA-IHC. Therefore, TSA-IHC-LMP-1 detection might be interesting for diagnostic specification and development of new therapeutic strategies in NPC.

EBV latent membrane protein 1 abundance correlates with patient age but not with metastatic behavior in north African nasopharyngeal carcinomas

“…The same applies to investigations by immuno-histo-chemistry (IHC). According to a recent report by Dietz et al, the percentage of LMP1-postive NPCs markedly increases when using a tyramid-enhancement process instead of conventional tissue staining [26]. …”

Plasma membrane proteome analysis of the early effect of alcohol on liver: implications for alcoholic liver disease

“…Recent advances in high-throughput membrane proteomic methods have the potential to help illuminate mechanisms involved in such alcohol-induced membrane defects and increased permeability [13]. Although great progress has been made in membrane proteomics [13,14], it is still a challenge to identify membrane proteins due to their hydrophobic properties and low abundance.…”

“…Although great progress has been made in membrane proteomics [13,14], it is still a challenge to identify membrane proteins due to their hydrophobic properties and low abundance. Independent proteomic studies of alcohol usage [15] and liver fibrosis [16] have, so far, been performed on plasma/serum, unfractionated tissues, or cell lines.…”

Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma with Special Reference to Nasopharynx-A Study of 35 Cases

“…Out of 35 cases of lymphoepithelial carcinoma10 cases were found in the younger age group(10-20 )yrs and 8 cases in the older age group(61-80) yrs,Balakrishnan et al 6 observed bimodal age distribution with peaks in age group (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) and (45-54) yrs from India.…”