New strategies and patent therapeutics in EBV-associated diseases

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a virus present all throughout the world that causes infectious mononucleosis (IM) and is highly associated with certain malignancies. This study is a review of current knowledge concerning the pathogenic mechanisms of EBV in tumor and auto-immune diseases and the different new strategies to treat EBV associated pathologies. Phenomena surrounding the proliferation and immortalization of B lymphocytes, the mechanisms of immune escape and the role of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in the infection by EBV are explained. An analysis is made of the role of EBV proteins during the biological events that take place in primary infection, persistent chronic infection together with an update of the approaches of novel patented therapeutics. Currently there is no vaccine protecting against EBV-associated disorders and no treatment that may inhibit or eliminate their progression. Thus, it is crucial to obtain additional information on the function and importance of genes that play a role on the development of those diseases with which it is associated, as well as on the humoral and cellular immune processes involved in them.