Abstract
BackgroundSerological examination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies has been performed for screening nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and other EBV-associated diseases.MethodsBy using xMAP technology, we examined immunoglobulin (Ig) A antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) VCA-gp125, p18 and IgA/IgG against EA-D, EBNA1 and gp78 in populations with distinct diseases, or with different genetic or geographic background. Sera from Cantonese NPC patients (n = 547) and healthy controls (n = 542), 90 members of high-risk NPC families and 52 non-endemic healthy individuals were tested. Thirty-five of NPC patients were recruited to observe the kinetics of EBV antibody levels during and after treatment. Patients with other EBV-associated diseases were collected, including 16 with infectious mononucleosis, 28 with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma and 14 with Hodgkin's disease.ResultsBoth the sensitivity and specificity of each marker for NPC diagnosis ranged 61–84%, but if combined, they could reach to 84.5% and 92.4%, respectively. Almost half of NPC patients displayed decreased EBV immunoactivities shortly after therapy and tumor recurrence was accompanied with high EBV antibody reactivates. Neither the unaffected members from high-risk NPC families nor non-endemic healthy population showed statistically different EBV antibody levels compared with endemic controls. Moreover, elevated levels of specific antibodies were observed in other EBV-associated diseases, but all were lower than those in NPC.ConclusionCombined EBV serological biomarkers could improve the diagnostic values for NPC. Diverse EBV serological spectrums presented in populations with different EBV-associated diseases, but NPC patients have the highest EBV activity.
Highlights
Serological examination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies has been performed for screening nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and other EBV-associated diseases
People infected by EBV will develop specific antibodies against this virus, even with primary infection including infectious mononucleosis (IM), which is characterized by the first presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies against viral capsid antigen (VCA) and followed by IgG against VCA, early antigen (EA) and EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) [11]
Diagnostic values of multiple EBV biomarkers for NPC By using in-house xMAP assays, we analyzed 8 EBV antibodies, including 5 IgA antibodies against VCA-gp125, p18, EA-D, EBNA1 or gp78 and 3 IgG antibodies to EA-D, EBNA1 or gp78, in a large scale of Cantonese healthy subjects and NPC patients
Summary
Serological examination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies has been performed for screening nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and other EBV-associated diseases. People infected by EBV will develop specific antibodies against this virus, even with primary infection including IM, which is characterized by the first presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies against viral capsid antigen (VCA) and followed by IgG against VCA, early antigen (EA) and EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) [11]. Aberrant antibody levels against EBV have been evidenced in the EBV-associated carcinomas due to the specific EBV gene-expression patterns [8]. NPC patients usually have high IgA and/or IgG reactivities to various EBV antigens, including VCA, EA, EBNA1, transcription activator Zta and Rta, etc [13,14,15,16]. EBV serological examination may be crucial for the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC
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