Clinical significance of baseline Epstein-Barr virus DNAfor recurrent or metastatic primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of baseline Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in recurrent or metastatic primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC). Methods: 75patients with baseline EBV DNA were included. The relationships between baseline EBV DNA and clinical characteristics, survivaland objective response rate were analyzed. Results: The baseline EBV DNA levels were related to the liver, chest wall, distant lymph node(s)or multiple sites of distant metastasis. The high baseline EBV DNA group (≥41,900copies/ml) was related to shorter progression-freeand overall survival in univariate analysis and remained significant for progression-free survival in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The baseline EBV DNA is a valuable biomarker for predicting prognosis and reflecting tumor burden in recurrent or metastatic PLELC.