Epstein–Barr virus as a therapeutic target in Hodgkin's disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Conventional approaches to the treatment of malignancy are often not curative or are associated with serious complications. New approaches to treatment are needed. A variety of specific approaches to the destruction of virus-associated tumor cells are illustrated in the context of EBV-associated Hodgkin's disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Viral antigens expressed by tumors may be targeted by cytotoxic T cells. Other viral antigens not naturally expressed by tumors may be induced by pharmacologic manipulations such as treatment with demethylating agents. Viral enzymes not naturally expressed by tumors such as thymidine kinase may be induced by protein kinase C activators, thus rendering tumor cells sensitive to killing by ganciclovir.