CORRELATION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS WITH BREAST CANCER: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background and aims: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gamma herpes virus and one of the most common infections globally. It has been linked to several health problems, including breast cancer, which is a leading cause of death among females worldwide. In Yemen, breast cancer is one of the top reported cancers in women. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between EBV and breast cancer among Yemeni women in Sana'a city. Methods: The study is a case-control study that included newly diagnosed, untreated breast cancer patients as cases and healthy women attending the National Cancer Control Foundation as controls. A total of 150 participants were tested for EBV (VCA) IgG using ELISA. Results: The association between EBV and BC in the case and control groups was found by the investigation. 48 women (64.0%) who tested positive for EBV IgG were included in the control group, whereas 71 women (94.7%) among the patients had the antibody identified. A substantial correlation between EBV and BC was found by statistical analysis; a chi-square value of 21.510 and a p-value of less than 0.001 supported this conclusion. With a 95% confidence interval, the odds ratio was 10.0 (3.3-30.4). Moreover, women above the age of thirty showed a higher risk than women under that age (p=0.006). In addition, compared to the control group, divorced and bereaved women had a significantly higher chance of contracting EBV (p= 0.002). Conclusions: According to the study's findings, there may be a link between EBV infection and a higher risk of breast cancer. To further understand the underlying mechanisms and potential strategies to reduce this risk, more research is required. Peer Review History: Received 1 December 2023; Revised 19 January 2024; Accepted 27 February; Available online 15 March 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. Muhammad Zahid Iqbal, AIMST University, Malaysia, drmmziqbal@gmail.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. Andrzej Szymański, Poznan University of Technology, Poland, andrzej.szymanski@put.poznan.pl Dr. Fátima Morales Marín, University of Murcia, Spain, fatima.morales@um.es