Evidence that Amphotericin B Mediates Reactivation of Latent Epstein-Barr Virus in Hodgkin's Lymphoma Allowing Cytotoxicity by Acyclovir.
10.3349/ymj.2006.47.2.287
- Author:
Richard E KAST
1
Author Information
1. University of Vermont, 2 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401 USA. kast887@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Acyclovir;
amphotericin B;
Coley's toxin;
Epstein-Barr virus;
ganciclovir;
Hodgkin's lymphoma;
remission;
TNF-alpha
- MeSH:
Virus Activation;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism;
Remission Induction;
Humans;
Hodgkin Disease/*drug therapy/pathology/*virology;
Herpesvirus 4, Human/*metabolism;
Ganciclovir/therapeutic use;
*Drug Synergism;
Burkitt Lymphoma/virology;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology;
Amphotericin B/*pharmacology;
Acyclovir/*therapeutic use
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2006;47(2):287-290
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This brief communication focuses on aspects of a recent case report (Yonsei Med J 2005;46:425-30) on a full and sustained remission of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) after a single day of chemotherapy. A septic episode required stopping chemotherapy and starting amphotericin B and acyclovir. Remission evidence was seen within days of starting these. A review of research supporting the notion that amphotericin B can reactivate latent Epstein-Barr virus and thus allow acyclovir to kill infected HL cells is given. Experimental work is required to confirm or refute this possibility. If successful, amphotericin B and acyclovir treatment could be extended to other EBV-driven cancers such as Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the occasional EBV-related epithelial cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, and others.
