Absence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma confirmed by lack of EBV-coded nuclear RNA and latent membrane protein-1

Aims: Studies are disclosing that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is involved in t he aetiology of various neoplasms including undifferentiated carcinomas of the aerodigestive tract. The aetiology of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ( ICC), a malignant neoplasm arising from intrahepatic biliary epithelia, has yet to be fully evaluated. To date, two cases of EBV-related ICC have been reported, and they presented foci of lymphoepitheliomatous undifferentiate d carcinoma components. Methods and results: To determine whether EBV is commonly involved in the d evelopments of ICC, we performed in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemi stry for EBV in 215 cases of ICC in Japan, using a probe against EBV-coded nuclear RNA (EBER) and a specific antibody against latent membrane protein- 1 (LMP-1), respectively. We did not detect EBV-infected carcinoma cells in any of the ICC cases examined. No lymphoepitheliomatous undifferentiated ca rcinoma components were found either. Conclusion: The results suggest that EBV infection is unlikely to be involv ed in the pathogenesis of ICC.