Epstein-Barr virus and hodgkin’s disease
Abstract
Approximately 40% to 50% of cases of Hodgkin’s disease occurring in Western populations are associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In these cases, EBV is found in the neoplastic elements, the Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin’s cells. EBV is probably not present in all cases, but neither have any other viruses been found in the cases that are EBV-negative. EBV may play a role in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin’s disease by the activation of anti-apoptotic factors in a premalignant germinal center B-lymphocyte. Regardless of their role in etiology or pathogenesis, EBV-latent antigens may represent a target for possible immune therapy.
Publication Title
Current Oncology Reports
Recommended Citation
Weiss, L. (2000). Epstein-Barr virus and hodgkin’s disease. Current Oncology Reports, 2 (2), 199-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-000-0094-9
