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Epstein–Barr virus at 60

The 1964 discovery of Epstein–Barr virus shed light on factors that contribute to human cancer. Subsequent studies set the stage for finding ways to diagnose and treat cancer, and revealed how immune defences control viral infection.
  1. Lawrence S. Young

    1. Lawrence S. Young is in the Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.

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This month marks the 60th anniversary of the discovery of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), the first virus shown to cause cancer in humans. In March 1964, Anthony Epstein, Yvonne Barr and Bert Achong presented findings1 in The Lancet which reported the identification of these virus particles in cancer cells, grown in vitro, that were taken from an aggressive type of blood cancer (lymphoma) found in children living in central Africa.

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Nature 627, 492-494 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00653-0

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Competing Interests

L.S.Y. is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Viracta Therapeutics Inc.

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