A comparison of EBV serology and serum cell‐free DNA as screening tools for nasopharyngeal cancer: Results of the Singapore NPC screening cohort

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) screening by comprehensive clinical follow‐up and adjunctive Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) testing. In a prospective cohort study, 524 individuals with a first‐degree family history of NPC were recruited at a university clinical center in Singapore. The cohort was evaluated at baseline and at 6 monthly intervals, with a complete head and neck examination including nasopharyngeal endoscopy. Blood was taken at baseline and at yearly intervals for EBV Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) IgA, EBV Early Antigen (EA) IgA serology and serum cell‐free EBV DNA. Nasopharyngeal biopsy was performed when any irregularity in the nasopharynx was observed, or when EBV markers were elevated. The mean duration of follow‐up was 57.7 months, with an average of 8.6 clinical visits per participant. Five participants (0.96%) were identified to have NPC, giving a prevalence of 199 per 100,000 person‐years of screening. Four of the five NPC cases identified had asymptomatic T1 disease, at an earlier stage compared to NPC patients diagnosed in the clinic during the same time period (p = 0.0297). All NPC cases identified had elevated EBV‐EA IgA titers ≥1:10, with a specificity of 94.6% and a positive predictive value of 15.2%, outperforming EBV‐VCA IgA and serum EBV DNA. Two NPC cases were biopsied only because of elevated EBV serology titers, with increasing EBV‐EA IgA titers preceding the diagnosis of NPC. In conclusion, screening for NPC is effective in identifying early‐stage disease. Adjunctive EBV‐EA IgA testing improved the effectiveness of screening.

Prognostic Value of Plasma Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Levels Pre- and Post-Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

“…Thus, the clinical implementation of combined pre-NACT and post-NACT EBV DNA testing may improve the prognostic accuracy in patients with NPC. Given the strong relationship between pre-NACT and post-NACT EBV DNA levels and treatment outcomes, we believe that dynamic plasma EBV DNA may serve as a valuable marker to help predict prognosis, as well as guide NPC screening and treatment ( 9 , 38 – 40 ). According to our findings, NACT may be continued until EBV DNA levels have reached <400 copies/mL.…”

Epstein–Barr Virus Epithelial Cancers—A Comprehensive Understanding to Drive Novel Therapies

“…Other endemic regions include North Africa and the Middle East (3). Firstdegree family members of NPC patients have been observed to have a markedly elevated risk of NPC (4). Additionally, persons migrating from high-risk areas continue to retain an increased risk for the disease, with this risk diminishing with each successive generation (3).…”

Advances in pathogenesis and precision medicine for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…PCR studies have targeted different segments of the EBV genome including EBNA‐1, EBNA‐2, BXLF‐1 gene, and Bam HI‐W region. Among them, the Bam HI‐W region is the most commonly used region because of its great sequence conservation and repeatability 187,188 …”

“…Among them, the Bam HI‐W region is the most commonly used region because of its great sequence conservation and repeatability. 187 , 188 …”