Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), an endemic head and neck cancer found in Southeast Asia, is etiologically associated with the infection of an oncogenic virus, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Here, we review literature findings on the potential/putative role of STAT3 signaling in its pathogenesis and discuss anti-STAT3 targeting as a therapeutic and possibly prevention strategy for NPC. Lastly, the potential involvement of STAT3 in other oncovirus-associated (e.g. the human papillomavirus) head and neck cancers have not been investigated and we hope that findings in EBV-associated NPC can prompt future investigations in these cancers, which are of increasing impact in the Western countries.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / physiology
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ErbB Receptors / physiology
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Humans
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Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / etiology*
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Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / virology
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STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
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STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
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STAT3 Transcription Factor / physiology*
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Viral Matrix Proteins / physiology
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Viral Proteins / physiology
Substances
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EBNA-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4
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EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
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STAT3 Transcription Factor
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Viral Matrix Proteins
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Viral Proteins
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ErbB Receptors