EBV LMP1 regulates cancer growth through IRF-7 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The cellular Interferon (IFN) regulatory factor-7 (IRF-7) was originally identified in cells with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, which constituted of positive circuit with viral oncoprotein latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), and both proteins are involved in neoplasia. EBV is known to be associated with the development of various cancers, including Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Burkitt lymphoma, gastric lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Although the exact role of IRF-7 in EBV-related oncogenesis is not clear, in this study, we demonstrated the role of IRF-7 in angiogenesis suppression via LMP1 down-regulation. Additionally, we employed knock-down of IRF-7 and verified the inhibition of IRF-7 in NPC growth in vivo. These findings suggest that IRF-7 could be a potential therapeutic target in EBV-infected NPC tumors.