Epstein-Barr Virus Reorganizes Human Genome to Promote Nasopharyngeal Cancer Spread

Researchers from The University of Hong Kong have uncovered a novel mechanism by which the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus infecting over 95% of adults globally, contributes to the development and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Unlike other viruses that integrate into the host DNA, EBV exists as extrachromosomal DNA in the nucleus of infected cells, forming an 'island' that subtly influences cellular behavior by expressing a limited set of proteins such as EBNA1, allowing it to evade immune detection.

This groundbreaking study reveals that EBV can physically attach to the human DNA within cancer cells, causing a reorganization of the genome’s three-dimensional structure. This process, akin to assembling building blocks, impacts the regulatory elements known as "switches" that control gene activity. By hijacking the cell’s epigenetic mechanisms through this 'hooking' onto DNA, EBV promotes tumor growth and facilitates cancer metastasis.

The team analyzed tumor samples from 177 patients with newly diagnosed NPC across Hong Kong and Guangzhou. They identified specific human genes influenced by EBV, termed "genomic signature markers," which not only predict the likelihood of cancer spreading but also exhibit a dual role: helping tumor cells evade immune responses and enhancing their capacity to metastasize.

Despite advances in radiotherapy and chemotherapy, metastatic NPC remains a significant challenge, significantly reducing survival rates. Professor Dai Wei from HKUmed emphasizes that EBV is an active driver, not just a passenger, in NPC progression. The study explores therapeutic avenues that target this genomic 'hooking' mechanism using epigenetic drugs and CRISPR gene editing, which can disrupt EBV's interaction with the host genome, slowing tumor growth.

Future research aims to further clarify how EBV attaches to and influences the genome, with the goal of developing targeted therapies to prevent metastasis from its inception. This discovery offers promising prospects for personalized treatment strategies and improved outcomes for patients with NPC, emphasizing the virus’s critical role in cancer progression.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-epstein-barr-virus-dna-genome.html