Correspondence between Epstein Barr Virus infection and Programmed death ligand 1 in bladder cancer patients

Document Type : Review articles

Authors

1 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

2 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University and Horus University, Mansoura, Egypt

3 Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

10.21608/ejmm.2025.369112.1525

Abstract

Worldwide, bladder cancer (BC) remains a substantial health challenge, with immune system interactions having an important role in its pathogenesis and progression. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been related to several malignancies, yet its role in BC is not well-understood. Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), an immune checkpoint molecule, has the ability to contribute to tumour immune evasion and has become a major target for immunotherapy. This review explores the potential association between EBV infection, bladder cancer, and the expression of PD-L1. We summarize current evidence on EBV’s oncogenic mechanisms, its potential involvement in bladder carcinogenesis, and its influence on PD-L1 regulation. Additionally, we discuss the implications of EBV-associated immune modulation in BC and its potential impact on immunotherapeutic strategies, particularly checkpoint inhibitors. Understanding the interplay between EBV, BC, and PD-L1 may provide new insights into tumour immune escape mechanisms and novel therapies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

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