ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the techniques available to prevent Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and to treat EBV-associated malignancies. It focuses on the biology of EBV and current available therapies for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies. EBV was named after its discoverers, Michael Epstein and Yvonne Barr. The chapter discusses the outcomes in the fields of synthetic and natural medicinal chemistry research that were solely aimed to fight against EBV infection as well as EBV-associated malignancies. EPV initially infects B lymphocytes because these circulate in close proximity to the respiratory epithelium. Treatment with foscarnet demonstrates continuous as well as complete remission in patients with EBV-associated lymphoproliferations. These clinical experiences may justify the efficacy of antiviral treatment in EBV-associated lymphoproliferations. Nucleoside antivirals have been used in the clinical treatment of EBV-associated diseases since the late 1970s. EBV is an orally transmitted human herpesvirus that passes from one host to another via saliva.