Investigation on the serum antibodies levels against Epstein-Barr virus in pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma

Abstract

18186 Background: Pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) belongs to large cell sub-type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with just about 160 cases reported previously. Its epidemiology, prognosis and therapeutic approach is evidently different from other NSCLCs. EBV infection is seen in 100% of Asian PLELC patients whenever tested. The aim of this study was to analyze serum antibodies level against EBV in PLELC patients. Methods: Sera of all seven patients with re-confirmed PLELC from a single institute in Canton, China in the past 4 years were collected. Serum levels of 8 different antibodies against EBV (Epstein-Barr virus): EBNA1 (EBV nuclear antigen 1- IgA and IgG), Zta (Bam Z transactivator antigen-IgA and IgG), VCA-p18 (Viral capsid antigen-p18-IgA and IgG), VCA-antigen complex (VCA-IgA) and Early antigen complex (EA-IgA ) were measured in each of these patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Immunoenzymatic assay respectively. Results: Out of 7 cases, 6 showed high EBNA-1 level, 4 showed high zta, 3 showed high VCA-p18, 3 showed high titer of VCA complex and 2 showed high EA complex titer ( Table 1 ) Conclusions: Though small sample size, this is the first study in this depth ever to conclude that sera of all Asian patients with pulmonary LELC have high antibody titers against EBV. The infection mainly is latency II type as seen in Nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin’s disease as well. A small portion of PLELC express lytic products such as Zta, EA and VCA. The authors assume that pre-therapeutic measurement of serum levels of anti-EBV antibodies (at least 2 kinds) is highly warranted in suspected Asian NSCLC patients. Positive result strongly puts PLELC into differential diagnosis. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.