Determining the oncogenic activity of different Epstein-Barr virus proteins on the development of nasopharyngeal cancer

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a highly metastatic cancer arising from the epithelium lining of the nasopharynx and has distinct geographical distribution and multiple etiological cofactors. Epstein-Barr virus infection is strongly associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and EBV genes products are believed to play an important role in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In this study, we examined the oncogenic activity of EBV genes products in normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We found that two EBV genes products contribute greatly towards the proliferation and migration of the normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Thus, such genes products may serve as the potential targets for NPC therapy.