Abstract

 BACK GROUND:
Epstein- Barr virus (EBV) is well known to infect the vast majority of the world's adult population and
has recently been reported in many literatures for its association with a broad spectrum of benign and
malignant tumors, including breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the relations and impact of Epstein Barr Virus- latent membrane protein 1(EBV-LMP 1)
expression on a group of tissues with primary invasive breast cancers.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Forty- nine (49) formalin-fixed, paraffin- embedded breast tissues were obtained in this study; (34)
biopsies from breast cancers (BC) and (15) from apparently normal breast autopsies control group.
Detection of expression of Epstein Barr Virus- latent membrane protein 1(EBV-LMP 1) was done by
HRP/DAB immunohistochemistry detection kit (an immunoenzymatic antigen detection system for
immunohistochemistry techniques) using specific primary antibodies for EBV-LMP 1.
RESULTS:
Detection of EBV-LMP 1 - immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions in tissues with BC was observed in
11 out of 34 (32.4%), while in healthy breast tissues in the control group was detected in 13.3% (2 out
of 15). The difference between the percentages of EBV-LMP 1 detection in BC tissues & control group
was statistically not significant (P >0.05).
While no significant differences were observed between EBV-LMP 1 detection in BC tissues & the age
of patients as well as grade of invasive breast cancers (P value > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Our results indicate that EBV could have a role in the pathogenesis of subset of breast cancers and
contribution in their carcinogenesis.