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Cutting‐Edge Therapy and Immune Escape Mechanisms in EBV‐Associated Tumors
Author(s) -
Wang Jie,
Wang Rong,
Wang Meifeng,
Ge Junshang,
Wang Yian,
Li Yanhan,
Chen Changan,
He Jiale,
Zheng Boshu,
Xu Meifang,
Jiang Xianjie,
Liu Yuhang,
Chen Mingfen,
Long Jun
Publication year - 2025
Publication title -
medicinal research reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.868
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1098-1128
pISSN - 0198-6325
DOI - 10.1002/med.22104
Subject(s) - immune system , epstein–barr virus , immunology , inflammation , immunogenicity , immunotherapy , tumor microenvironment , biology , virus , cancer research , cancer , oncolytic virus , medicine , genetics
ABSTRACT Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), the first identified human tumor virus, significantly influences the immune microenvironment of associated cancers. EBV‐induced expression of viral antigens by tumor cells triggers immune recognition and elicits a pro‐inflammatory response. While mild inflammation may help eliminate malignant cells, intense inflammation can accelerate tumor progression. Moreover, EBV can establish lifelong latency in human hosts, characterized by low immunogenicity of its proteins and noncoding RNAs. This enables tumor cells to evade immune detection and impair immune cell function, disrupting immune homeostasis. Consequently, EBV‐associated malignancies pose a considerable public health challenge globally, often complicating the prognosis of cancer patients under conventional treatment. With deeper research into the oncogenic expressions and mechanisms of EBV, novel targeted therapies against EBV are gaining prominence. This review discusses recent advancements in understanding how EBV helps tumor cells evade immune surveillance and induce immune dysfunction. It also examines the clinical potential of targeting EBV‐associated tumors, providing fresh perspectives on the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for these cancers.