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14 March 2022
Dietary exposures Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Epigenetic alteration of the cancer-related gene TGFBI in B cells infected with Epstein–Barr virus and exposed to aflatoxin B1: potential role in Burkitt lymphoma development

In a new study, researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partner institutions investigating drivers of Burkitt lymphoma have identified a molecular signature that is common to both Epstein–Barr virus infection and exposure to aflatoxin B1, two known etiological factors for this cancer type. Burkitt lymphoma is an aggressive paediatric cancer, and the highest incidence rates of this disease occur in equatorial Africa. The study was published in the journal Cancers.

The researchers explored genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in samples of endemic Burkitt lymphoma tissue and identified a molecular signature shared by both Epstein–Barr virus infection and aflatoxin B1 exposure that affects the expression of a putative tumour suppressor, TGFBI. Reduced expression of TGFBI has already been investigated in several cancer types, but its implication in lymphoma had not been evidenced before this study.

Further research clarifying the functional consequences of TGFBI suppression on B cell fate and the impact on reshaping the tumour microenvironment is warranted, because it may provide a relevant target for novel therapies.

This study on the causes of Burkitt lymphoma was initiated by IARC scientist Dr Rosita Accardi-Gheit, who sadly passed away in 2020. The work was completed by her students, Ms Francesca Manara and Dr Antonin Jay (supervised by Dr Zdenko Herceg from IARC and Dr Henri Gruffat from École normale supérieure de Lyon), together with other researchers in the Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch at IARC. What better tribute to a colleague who has passed away than publishing her unpublished results? This contribution by Dr Accardi-Gheit forms part of her important legacy to the field of virology, epigenetics, and cancer research. She is remembered, and she is missed.

Manara F, Jay A, Akinyi Odongo G, Mure F, Maroui MA, Diederichs A, et al.
Epigenetic alteration of the cancer-related gene TGFBI in B cells infected with Epstein–Barr virus and exposed to aflatoxin B1: potential role in Burkitt lymphoma development
Cancers, Published online 2 March 2022;
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14051284

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Publication status

Published in section: IARC News

Publication date: 14 March, 2022, 0:17

Direct link: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/epigenetic-alteration-of-the-cancer-related-gene-tgfbi-in-b-cells-infected-with-epstein-barr-virus-and-exposed-to-aflatoxin-b1-potential-role-in-burkitt-lymphoma-development/

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