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Epstein-Barr virus and Hodgkin's disease: further evidence for the three disease hypothesis
A A Armstrong1, F E Alexander, R Cartwright
1LRF Virus Centre, Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Glasgow, UK.
Insights
Hodgkin's disease may be multiple conditions. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) association varies by age, suggesting distinct disease types and supporting a multiple etiology hypothesis for this cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hodgkin's disease epidemiology suggests heterogeneity.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in the pathogenesis of some cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between EBV association and age at diagnosis in Hodgkin's disease.
- To provide biological support for the multiple etiology hypothesis of Hodgkin's disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of EBV association rates in Hodgkin's disease cases.
- Stratification of cases based on age at diagnosis and EBV status.
Main Results:
- EBV association rates in Hodgkin's disease demonstrate significant variation with age at diagnosis.
- Identified distinct patterns of EBV association across different age groups.
Conclusions:
- Hodgkin's disease can be classified into at least three distinct entities based on EBV association and age.
- Findings support the hypothesis that Hodgkin's disease arises from multiple etiologies.
Abstract:
The epidemiology of Hodgkin's disease suggests that it is a heterogeneous condition comprising more than one disease entity. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is present in the Reed-Sternberg cells of a proportion of cases and is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of these cases. In this study we show that EBV association rates vary with age at diagnosis. We suggest that Hodgkin's disease can be divided into three disease entities on the basis of EBV association and age, thereby providing biological support for the multiple aetiology hypothesis proposed by MacMahon (Cancer Res 1966; 26: 1189-1290).