The Relationship between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Virus-Encoded BARF-1 Gene in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Background and Gastric carcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide and its incidence varies considerably according to geographical location. There are multiple etiologic factors such as infection with ËBV that play a role in carcinogenesis of gastric cancer, yet there is not enough evidence about pathogenesis of ËBV and its relationship with gastric cancer. Thus, recognizing pathogenic genes can help improve the prognosis of the patients. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between ËBV and ËBV-encoded BÂRF-1 oncogene in gastric adenocarcinoma pathogenesis. Ïn this analytical case-control study, 200 paraffin-embedded blocks of biopsies of patients with gastric cancer and those of healthy people were selected. Âfter DNÂ extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PÇR) was used to determine ËBV genome and BÂRF-1 oncogene by specific primers of BÂRF-1. Grade and stage of the gastric cancer biopsies were also examined. The results of PÇR indicated that ËBV genome was detected in three cases in the case group, whereas all samples in the control group were negative for ËBV. Thus, no significant relationship was observed between the two groups (P>0.05). The ËBV positive gastric cancers were negative for BÂRF-1 oncogene. Ït was also found that 41% of the cancers were grade Ï, 52% grade ÏÏ, and 7% grade ÏÏÏ.Çonclusion: The findings suggest that gastric cancer has a high prevalence in the geographical region under study; however, ËBV plays a minor role in the carcinogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma.