The biology of Epstein-Barr virus: lessons learned from the virus and the host

Recent studies indicate that a large proportion of cytotoxic T cells are di rected towards the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) during both acute infection and convalescence. The virus, in turn, has usurped cellular pathways to promot e proliferation of infected cells and has pirated cellular genes into its g enome to modulate the immune system to allow lifelong infection of humans. Analysis of the immune response to the virus is leading to novel therapies for EBV-associated malignancies, including the use of virus-specific cytoto xic T cell infusions.