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# Epstein-Barr virus may cause breast cancer
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/epstein-barr_virus_may_cause_breast_cancer_0622160644/
- Published: 2016-06-22T19:42:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:28:08.000Z
- Description: A study of Syrian women found breast tissue carrying both Epstein-Barr virus and high-risk HPV was associated with high-grade invasive ductal carcinoma and lymph node involvement, while either virus alone tracked with lower-grade tumors. Earlier work found EBV in 52% of 108 samples.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Disease, Health News, #vivvo-import

*Al Moustafa AE, Al-Antary N, Aboulkassim T, Akil N, Batist G, Yasmeen A., Co-prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus and high-risk human papillomaviruses in Syrian women with breast cancer. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2016 Apr 15:1-4.*

It seems evident that certain viruses can cause the development of breast cancer. A new study of Syrian women suggests that co-infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and high risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) (types 16, 18, 31 and 35) may be a risk factor for high grade invasive ductal carcinomas.

The study finds the co-presence of EBV and HPV associated with high grade invasive ductal carcinoma with at least one positive lymph node. In comparison, the presence of EBV or high risk HPV was associated with low to intermediate grade invasive ductal carcinoma. The findings suggest that when present in the same breast tissue, these viruses together can be more harmful.

*Aboulkassim T, Yasmeen A, Akil N, Batist G, Al Moustafa AE. Incidence of Epstein-Barr virus in Syrian women with breast cancer: A tissue microarray study. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2015;11(4):951-5\.* 

T. Aboulkassim at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and colleagues reported in 2015 that among 108 breast cancer tissue samples from Syrian women, 52% were positive for EBV. The researchers were able to determine that a gene in the virus called LMP1 is associated with invasive breast cancer. The study suggests that EBV may play a role in breast cancer development and metastasis.

**What is** [**Epstein-Barr virus**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epstein%E2%80%93Barr%5Fvirus?ref=foodconsumer.org)**?**

Epstein-Barr virus is actually a type of herpes virus. People can get infected with this virus through contract with infected people's body fluids like kissing and having sexual intercourse. This is an extremely commonly seen virus. Nearly 50% of five years-olds and 90% of adults in the United States carry signs of previous infections. The good news is that the majority of people can handle the virus with adaptive immunity and live peacefully with this virus. Still, an estimated 200,000 cases of cancer each year are attributed to this virus. This EBV has been linked to a number of cancers including Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, gastric cancer, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Studies have now also linked this virus to breast cancer even though more studies are needed to establish a causal relation. (David Liu)