Investigating of the serum level of VCA-IgG antibody in gastric cancer patients in Ardebil city

Abstract

Background Gastric cancer (GC) is known as the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of death in the world. Many environmental factors, such as age, sex, blood group, heredity, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), unhealthy diet, and geographical region, are possible risk factors for gastric cancer. Moreover, one of the most important causes of GC is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Due to a lack of information about the etiologic role of EBV in gastric cancer, in this study, we investigated the serum level of viral capsid antigen IgG antibodies (VCA-IgG) in GC patients in Ardebil city. Methods This cross-sectional study included 92 gastric cancer patients and 92 healthy individuals as a control group. Demographic and pathological information were recorded, and blood samples were collected to measure viral capsid antigen IgG antibody (VCA IgG) levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical tests, including chi-square, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Results Among the 184 participants, 58.7% were male and 41.3% were female. The most common blood group was type A (44.0%), while the lowest was type B (7.6%). VCA (IgG) antibody tests showed that 42.4% of participants were EBV positive. Additionally, 57.1% of participants tested positive for H. pylori. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between age, gender, H. pylori, and EBV infection. Gastric cancer was associated with positive VCA (IgG) antibody (p-value > 0.05). However, a significant association was found between blood group and VCA (IgG) antibody positivity (p-value = 0.02). Conclusion This study suggests that blood group may be an important factor in determining VCA (IgG) antibody positivity in patients with gastric cancer. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to obtain more robust results.