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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2014; 20(21): 6448-6456
Published online Jun 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i21.6448
Epigenetic dysregulation in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma: Disease and treatments
Tung On Yau, Ceen-Ming Tang, Jun Yu
Tung On Yau, Ceen-Ming Tang, Jun Yu, Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, LKS Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Ceen-Ming Tang, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Yau TO wrote this paper; Tang CM revised the article; Yu J supervised the work.
Supported by Research Grants of National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2010CB529305); and Innovation and Technology Support Programme, Hong Kong (ITS/214/12)
Correspondence to: Jun Yu, MD, PhD, Professor, Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, LKS Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 707A, Li Ka Shing Medical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. junyu@cuhk.edu.hk
Telephone: +852-37636099 Fax: +852-21445330
Received: November 1, 2013
Revised: February 16, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: June 7, 2014
Processing time: 219 Days and 17.6 Hours
Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) comprises nearly 10% of gastric carcinoma cases worldwide. Recently, it was recognised to have unique clinicopathologic characteristics, including male predominance, lower rates of lymph node involvement, and better prognosis. EBVaGC is further characterised by abnormal hypermethylation of tumour suppressor gene promoter regions, causing down-regulation of their expression. In the present review, we critically discuss the role of EBV in gastric carcinogenesis, summarising the role of viral proteins and microRNAs with respect to aberrant methylation in EBVaGC. Given the role of epigenetic dysregulation in tumourigenesis, epigenetic modifiers may represent a novel therapeutic strategy.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; Gastric carcinoma; Epigenetic dysregulation; Aberrant DNA methylation; Epigenetic therapies

Core tip: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) comprises nearly 10% of gastric carcinoma cases worldwide. In the present review, we critically discuss the role of EBV in gastric carcinogenesis, summarising the role of viral proteins and microRNAs) with respect to aberrant methylation in EBVaGC. Given the role of epigenetic dysregulation in tumourigenesis, epigenetic modifiers may represent a novel therapeutic strategy.