EBV-IgA antibody responses in endemic and nonendemic populations with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: tumour marker prognostication study and a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most prevalent head and neck cancer in Indonesia, with 100% Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection in tumor cells. NPC is rare in the Netherlands. The involvement of EBV in NPC pathogenesis is reflected by early onset aberrant IgA antibody responses to various EBV proteins. Screening for elevated EBV-IgA levels is proposed for NPC risk assessment in endemic countries but is poorly studied in nonendemic regions. This study analyzed the overall diversity (immunoblot) as well as the prevalence and normalized levels of IgA responses to immunodominant peptide epitopes of EBV proteins VCA P18, EBNA 1, and Zebra (Zta) (N-terminus, P 125, P 130, full-length recombinant Zebra) in Indonesian (n=50) and Dutch (n=50) patients with NPC. The results confirmed that elevated levels of IgA-VCA P18 and IgA-EBNA 1 were found in both NPC populations, but that IgA-Zta was more variable. IgA-Zta responses were more pronounced in Indonesian NPC cases, reflecting more frequent EBV reactivation overall. IgA-VCA P18 and IgA-EBNA are independent tumor markers and are both necessary for NPC risk assessment. Overall, these results confirmed the diagnostic benefit of combined IgA-VCA P18/-EBNA 1 testing for NPC risk assessment in endemic and nonendemic populations.

Study on the value of Inhibin B in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its correlation with traditional Chinese medicine syndromes: An observational study

“…IgA antibodies to Epstein–Barr virus nucleocapsid antigen (VCA) reflect the mucosal immune response to the pathogen, and in the case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, mucosal epithelial carcinoma IgA-EBV reflects the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [ 8 ] However, because the detection operation is cumbersome, requires certain clinical experience, is highly subjective, and lacks precision and accuracy, it can interfere with serological diagnosis or even misdiagnosis as a single indicator. [ 9 ] Therefore, it is necessary to identify more specific, sensitive, and easily detectable markers to assist in the early diagnosis and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.…”