Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
It is well known that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) contributes directly to tumourigenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), primarily in the undifferentiated form of NPC (WHO type III; UNPC or UC), which is commonly found in South East Asia. Unfortunately, research in NPC has been severely hampered by the lack of authentic EBV-positive (EBV+) human NPC cell lines for study. Since 1975, there have been more than 20 reported NPC cell lines. However, many of these NPC-derived cell lines do not express EBV transcripts in long-term culture, and therefore that finding may dispute the fundamental theory of NPC carcinogenesis. In fact, currently only one EBV+ human NPC cell line (C-666) in long-term culture has been reported. Hence, most of the NPC cell lines may not be representative of the disease itself. In order to better understand and treat NPC, there is an urgent need to develop more EBV+ human NPC cell lines. In this review, we discuss the authenticity of existing NPC cell lines and the impact of our understanding of NPC biology on the treatment of the disease and the relationship of EBV to NPC in the context of cell lines.
Recommended Citation
Gullo C, Low WK, Teoh G. Association of Epstein-Barr virus with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and current status of development of cancer-derived cell lines. Ann Acad Med, Singapore. 2008;37(9):769–77.
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Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons, Diseases Commons, Medical Immunology Commons
Comments
The copy or record is available from Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore at http://www.annals.edu.sg/pdf/37VolNo9Sep2008/V37N9p769.pdf. Copyright © 2008 Academy of Medicine, Singapore. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.