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The molecular march of primary and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Oncogene volume 40, pages 1757–1774 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) results from the aberrant and uncontrolled growth of the nasopharyngeal epithelium. It is highly associated with the Epstein–Barr virus, especially in regions where it is endemic. In the last decade, significant advances in genetic sequencing techniques have allowed the discovery of many new abnormal molecular processes that undoubtedly contribute to the establishment, growth and spread of this deadly disease. In this review, we consider NPC as EBV induced. We summarise the recent discoveries and how they add to our understanding of the pathophysiology of NPC in the context of genomics first in primary and then in recurrent disease. Overall, we find key early events lead to p16 inactivation and cyclin D1 expression, allowing latent viral infection. Host and viral factors work together to affect a variety of molecular pathways, the most fundamental being activation of NF-κB. Nonetheless, much still yearns to be discovered, especially in recurrent NPC.

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Fig. 1: Establishment of EBV latency in the Nasopharyngeal Epithelium.
Fig. 2: Pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Rd, Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB, UK

    Nicholas J. Campion, Munira Ally, Jahangir Ahmed & Ghassan Alusi

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Nicholas J. Campion & Bernhard J. Jank

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  1. Nicholas J. Campion
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Campion, N.J., Ally, M., Jank, B.J. et al. The molecular march of primary and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Oncogene 40, 1757–1774 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-020-01631-2

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