Expression of latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein Barr Virus in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A baseline clinicopathologic study

A Winnifred Christy; Uma Sudhakar; Snophia Rani Rajamani; Thalaimalai Saravanan; D David Praveenkumar; Arunkumar Nandagopal

doi:10.2478/amma-2026-0009

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Expression of latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein Barr Virus in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A baseline clinicopathologic study

Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica

Volume 72 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: A Winnifred Christy, Uma Sudhakar, Snophia Rani Rajamani, Thalaimalai Saravanan, D David Praveenkumar and Arunkumar Nandagopal

Open Access

|Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: In addition to tobacco and alcohol, viruses with oncogenic potential may play a significant role. Epstein Barr virus being latent in oral cavity association of Epstein Barr Virus encoded latent membrane protein 1 expression may provide a link in development of oral cancer.

Aim: To find the association of Epstein Barr Virus in oral squamous cell carcinoma and to find the clinical outcomes of overexpression and non-expression of Latent Membrane Protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Materials and methods: This observational study comprised of 51 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who had never consumed tobacco or alcohol. The resected tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry to evaluate Epstein Barr virus encoded latent membrane protein 1 overexpression. Overexpression of Epstein Barr virus latent membrane protein1 was compared with various clinical and histological parameters using Chi square tests, Fisher’s test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test with P value less than 0.05 being considered significant.

Results: Out of the 51 patients, 6 of them overexpressed Epstein Barr virus latent membrane 1 antigen out of which 2 patients had sharp tooth. Histologically 4 cases were grade 1 and 2 were grade 2. Disease free survival and overall survival was more in Epstein Barr virus latent membrane 1 overexpressed patients (28.6, 33.3 vs 19.8, 22.13)

Conclusion: Epstein Barr virus may be associated in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma and may influence survival rates in such patients.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2026-0009 | Journal eISSN: 2668-7763 | Journal ISSN: 2668-7755

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Language: English

Page range: 58 - 62

Submitted on: Nov 13, 2025

Accepted on: Jan 8, 2026

Published on: Mar 10, 2026

Published by: University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

Epstein Barr Virus,

latent membrane protein,

oral squamous cell carcinoma,

Related subjects:

Clinical medicine, other

© 2026 A Winnifred Christy, Uma Sudhakar, Snophia Rani Rajamani, Thalaimalai Saravanan, D David Praveenkumar, Arunkumar Nandagopal, published by University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 72 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)