Family History Of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research Articles

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Is Inversely Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Hospital-Based Matched Case-Control Study in Malaysia.

Serum 25(OH)D deficiency consistently demonstrated molecular mechanisms through which chronic inflammation is associated with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to determine the association between serum 25(OH)D and NPC. A matched case-control study was conducted at two local hospitals. A total of 300 histologically confirmed NPC cases were matched with controls for age, gender, and ethnicity, and assessed for vitamin D status and other nutritional factors. Mean Vitamin D concentration was significantly lower among cases compared to controls (63.17 ± 19.15 nmol/L and 67.34 ± 23.06 nmol/L) (t = -2.41, p = 0.016). Multiple conditional logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of serum 25(OH)D were associated with reduced odds of NPC (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.57-0.94, p = 0.016) controlling for confounders including BMI, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, consumption of food high in vitamin D, salted fish consumption, and family history of NPC. There was a significant association between inadequate serum 25(OH)D status with accumulation of four risk factors and increased odds of getting NPC using polynomial regression analysis. Increased NPC odds ratios were observed after sequential accumulation of additional risk factors with the presence of inadequate serum 25(OH)D status (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.27, 4.77, p = 0.322, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.64, 1.72, p = 0.267, OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.73, 1.80, p = 0.067, OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.13, 3.31, p = 0.022, and OR = 5.55, 95% CI = 1.67, 10.3, p < 0.001 respectively). Future research in Malaysia should involve both prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials to confirm and further clarify the role of vitamin D in NPC outcomes.

Feature Reviews of the Molecular Mechanisms of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare in most parts of the world but endemic in southern Asia. Here, we describe the molecular abnormalities in NPC and point out potential molecular mechanisms for future therapy. This article provides a brief up-to-date review focusing on the molecular pathways of NPC, which may improve our knowledge of this disease, and we also highlight some issues for further research. In brief, some heritable genes are related to NPC; therefore, people with a family history of NPC have an increased risk of this disease. Carcinogenic substances and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) exposure both contribute to tumorigenesis through the accumulation of multiple genomic changes. In recent years, salted fish intake has decreased the impact on NPC, which implies that changing exposure to carcinogens can modify the risk of NPC. Eradication of cancer-associated viruses potentially eradicates cancer, and EBV vaccines might also prevent this disease in the future. Screening patients by using an EBV antibody is feasible in the high-risk group; plasma EBV DNA measurement could also be conducted for screening, prognosis, and monitoring of this disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of NPC can further provide novel information for health promotion, disease screening, and precision cancer treatment.

Germline Variants Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Predisposition Identified through Whole-Exome Sequencing.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this study was to identify the germline genetic variants associated with an increased risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). DNA samples from 119 Singaporean NPC patients were sequenced, with 17 pathogenic variants in 17 genes found to be enriched in NPC patients as compared to unaffected controls. Five of these variants (in the JAK2, PRDM16, LRP1B, NIN, and NKX2-1 genes) were supported by repeated testing on an independent set of Singaporean NPC patients and unaffected Singaporean controls. A FANCE variant was observed in two siblings with NPC, but not in three unaffected siblings of the same family. Gene-based burden testing recapitulated the association between NKX2-1 and FANCE variants with NPC risk. Pathway analysis revealed a higher frequency of germline mutations in endocytosis and immune-modulating pathways. Our research has identified new variants and genes associated with susceptibility to NPC, which are relevant for an improved understanding of the genetic predisposition of NPC.The current understanding of genetic susceptibility factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is still incomplete. To identify novel germline variants associated with NPC predisposition, we analysed whole-exome sequencing data from 119 NPC patients from Singapore with a family history of NPC and/or with early-onset NPC, together with 1337 Singaporean participants without NPC. Variants were prioritised and filtered by selecting variants with minor allele frequencies of <1% in both local control (n = 1337) and gnomAD non-cancer (EAS) (n = 9626) cohorts and a high pathogenicity prediction (CADD score > 20). Using single-variant testing, we identified 17 rare pathogenic variants in 17 genes that were associated with NPC. Consistent evidence of enrichment in NPC patients was observed for five of these variants (in JAK2, PRDM16, LRP1B, NIN, and NKX2-1) from an independent case-control comparison of 156 NPC patients and 9770 unaffected individuals. In a family with five siblings, a FANCE variant (p. P445S) was detected in two affected members, but not in three unaffected members. Gene-based burden testing recapitulated variants in NKX2-1 and FANCE as being associated with NPC risk. Using pathway analysis, endocytosis and immune-modulating pathways were found to be enriched for mutation burden. This study has identified NPC-predisposing variants and genes which could shed new insights into the genetic predisposition of NPC.

Epidemiology, clinical presentations and radiologic findings of nasopharyngeal cancers

Background: The incidence and prevalence of malignant nasopharyngeal cancers (NPC) are different in each part of the world. The prevalence of this malignancy is about 0.5 in every 1000 people in the USA, while it is about 20 in every 100 people in China. this difference is due to nutritional, environmental, and genetic factors, especially for endemic regions. This malignancy is more common in men and is often seen in the sixth decade of life. We decided to do this study from the point of epidemiologic, clinical, and radiologic findings in patients with nasopharyngeal cancers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of patients who were admitted to the ENT ward with the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 2004 to 2014. Thirty-two patients were studied from the point of age, gender, risk factors, clinical and radiologic findings. Results: Of 32 patients, 26 patients (%81) were male, and six patients (%19) were female. The mean age of the patients was 50.28 years old. Nineteen patients were self-employed, 4 were farmers, 3 were staffers, and 6 were house worker women. %84 of the patients had a negative family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. %66 of the patients had neck mass, and the second most common clinical finding was nasal obstruction. The most common site of tumor origin was the right lateral wall (%37), and the second was the left lateral wall (%28). Eight patients had erosion of the skull base, and 14 patients had tumor expansion to the paranasal sinuses and orbital cavity. Conclusion: In patients complaining of a neck mass, nasal obstruction, and headache, nasopharyngeal cancer should be highly suspected. Nasal endoscopy and biopsy of the suspected lesion are needed for correct diagnosis and treatment.

High Expression of hsa_circRNA_001387 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and the Effect on Efficacy of Radiotherapy.

BackgroundNasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most difficult cancers to be detected and treated. Hunting for novel cancer-specific biomarkers for NPC patients is helpful for timely diagnosis and clinical treatment of NPC.MethodsIn this study, high-throughput circRNA sequencing was used to screen the circRNAs with expression variation in NPC patients. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of hsa_circRNA_001387 in the cancer tissues from 100 surgical patients, the peripheral blood samples from 100 radiotherapy patients and NPC cell lines. Based on clinical data of the patients, the relationship between hsa_circRNA_001387 and radiotherapy as well as antibody to Epstein–Barr (EB) virus was investigated. The use of this circRNA as a biomarker for NPC was also discussed.ResultsExpression of hsa_circRNA_001387 was significantly increased in the tumor tissues of NPC surgical patients, in the peripheral blood samples of NPC radiotherapy patients and in the NPC cell lines (P<0.01). Expression of hsa_circRNA_001387 was significantly elevated in patients with well-differentiated tumors, lymph node metastasis and distant metastases, stage III–IV, positive EB virus, or family history of NPC. hsa_circRNA_001387 was closely associated with the prognosis of the patients. The overall survival and progression-free survival were shorter in patients with high expression. Through univariate and multivariate analyses, it was found that hsa_circRNA_001387 was considered as an independent factor for the prognosis of NPC patients.ConclusionThis study reported for the first time that expression of hsa_circRNA_001387 is significantly upregulated, and it was also indicated that hsa_circRNA_001387 can be used as a novel biomarker for NPC.

Association of Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV) with the Development of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) in Western Region of Iraq: Unmatched Molecular Case-Control Study

Background: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is uncommon in Iraq, but its incidence is raising due to increased exposure to diverse risk factors. Many of the NPC-related risk factors are becoming more and more apparent in Iraq. The exactly risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Anbar province, Iraq are not known. Objectives: To determine the association between Epstein- Barr virus (EBV) infections and other risk factors with the development NPC of Iraqi patients. Patients and Method: Sixty-seven paraffin-embedded tissues of NPC cases, 134 normal noncancerous nasopharyngeal biopsy samples, and tonsillectomy specimens from patients with chronic hypertrophic tonsillitis as controls were enrolled in the study that was conducted between 12 January 2012 and 21 January 2019. DNA of EBV was extracted from both controls and neoplastic tissues and analyzed by PCR technique using primers specific to EBV Latent Membrane Protein-1 Oncogene (LAMP-1) for the presence of EBV. A Questioners data form for all patients and controls were filled by the researchers regarding other risk factors of NPC including the patient’s age, sex, residence, radiation exposure, history of chronic rhinitis, family history of NPC, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, herbal medicines, tea consumption, exposure to formaldehyde and exposure to different inhalants. Results: The following risk factors were found to be independently associated with illness: EBV (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 7.852, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.22–27.72), herbal medicine (OR 19.051, CI 7.56– 47.95) and Family history of NPC (OR 63.717, CI 6.67–607.96). Conclusion: Combination of family history of NPC , EBV exposure and herbal medicine was a strong risk factor for NPC.

Highly expressed CCR7 predicts poor prognosis in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NC) is a malignant human tumor with a high incidence that occurs on the top and lateral wall of the nasopharynx. To investigate the clinical value of chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) in locally advanced NC. We enrolled 114 patients with locally advanced NC admitted to our hospital in the observation group (OBG) and 100 normal healthy subjects who underwent physical examination in the control group (COG). The serum CCR7 expression levels in each group were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and were compared between the groups. None of the 114 patients or their family members were lost during follow-up. Thirty-five patients died within 3 years and 79 survived (survival rate: 69.29%). The serum CCR7 level was higher in the OBG than in the COG (P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.837 for diagnostic value for locally advanced NC and the AUC was 0.759 for predictive value for 3-year mortality. The CCR7 AUC for diagnosis of locally advanced NC was 0.837 and for prediction of mortality was 0.759. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in smoking history, long-term consumption of pickled food, family history of NC, primary lesion staging, lymph node staging, distant metastasis, clinical pathological staging, and CCR7 between the two groups (P < 0.05). CCR7 was valuable in the diagnosis of locally advanced NC, and highly expressed CCR7 was predictive of poor prognosis.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Identified Multiple Germline Mutations of DNA Repair Pathway in Patients with and without a Family History of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Whole-Exome Sequencing Identified Multiple Germline Mutations of DNA Repair Pathway in Patients with and without a Family History of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal cancer in Saudi Arabia: Epidemiology and possible risk factors

Abstract Although, Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is uncommon in Arab countries, but its incidence is raising due to increased exposure to diverse risk factors. Many of the NPC-related risk factors are becoming more and more apparent in Saudi Arabia. Risk factors such as, higher antibody titers against the EBV, intake of preserved foods, tobacco smoking with alcohol consumption, family history of NPC, certain human leukocyte antigen class I genotypes, history of chronic respiratory tract conditions, exposure to different inhalants, herbal medicines, and occupational exposures are frequently encountered in Saudi population. In spite of the importance of this subject in Saudi Arabia, there is still a paucity of literature on the features and outcome of NPC in the Middle East and most Arab countries. Therefore, the objective of this review was to provide an overview of NPC and recent advances in the multidimensional understanding of this disease focusing in the available literature in epidemiology and risk factors with especial emphasis in Saudi Arabia. The previous literature was retrieved through electronic search in Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and other electronic data base, as shown in the citation.

An Unusual Presentation of Sensitive Skin Syndrome over the Lips of a Female Chinese Patient after Dental Procedure Managed and Improved with 0.03% and 0.1% Topical Tacrolimus Ointment Application as Assessed by the SS-10 Questionnaire

Sensitive skin syndrome (SSS) is a prevalent skin condition reported globally in most ethnic groups which may occur in any skin location. The cause and pathogenesis of SSS is still unresolved and controversial. Albeit the head and neck region including the face and scalp are reported as the commonest sites of SSS, the lips as the only region of the face affected has been rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of a 30 years old Chinese women with a positive family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma who reported to have significant neurological, nociceptive and pruritoceptive symptoms solely over the lips lasting for more than one year complicated by psychological and sleep disturbances after dental procedure. She was followed up and monitored by the validated 10-items Sensitive Skin Scale questionnaire (SS–10) in the clinic setting, treated and managed by topical tacrolimus ointment, emollients, counselling, education and psychological supports.

323P - Strong family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Bidayuh, a local native group in Sarawak, Malaysia

323P - Strong family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Bidayuh, a local native group in Sarawak, Malaysia

The incidence and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with family history.

PurposeEpidemiological data showed that nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was a regional malignancy. It suggested that genetic factor may play an important role in tumorigenesis of NPC. The aim was to investigate the incidence and the prognosis of NPC patients with family history.MethodsThe clinical data of patients with NPC treated in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from January 2008 to December 2012 were reviewed, and the patients with family history were selected. The prognosis of patients with family history was follow-up. The 5-year overall survival (OS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis.ResultsThere were 3.64% (135/3706) NPC patients with family history of NPC. Eighty-three percent (112/135) patients had only one family member suffering from NPC previously, and 74.1% (100/135) patients who had family history only in first-degree family members. Excluding five patients lost to follow-up, 130 patients were eventually used to analyze the prognosis. The 5-year OS, LRFS, and DMFS rates of all patients with family history were 84.1%, 83.4%, and 83.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences of OS, LRFS and DMFS between one relative group and at least two relatives group. In addition, the degree of NPC had no association with OS, LRFS and DMFS, respectively.ConclusionOur results showed that there was an incidence rate of 3.64% NPC patients with family history. These patients had a satisfied prognosis, and the prognosis of NPC patients with family history in different degree or numbers of relatives had no significant differences.

Quantification of familial risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a high‐incidence area

To the authors' knowledge, no studies to date have explored familial risks of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in detail and quantified its lifetime risk in high-incidence populations. The authors conducted a population-based case-control study of 2499 NPC cases and 2576 controls randomly selected in southern China from 2010 through 2014. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) associated with a family history of NPC. In addition, the authors compiled a reconstructed cohort comprising 40,781 first-degree relatives of cases and controls to calculate the lifetime cumulative risk of NPC. Individuals with a first-degree family history of NPC were found to be at a >4-fold risk of NPC (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 3.5-6.1) compared with those without such a history, but had no excess risk of other malignancies. The excess risk was higher for a maternal than a paternal history and was slightly stronger for a sibling compared with a parental history, and for a sororal than a fraternal history. Among relatives of cases, the cumulative risk of NPC up to age 74 years was 3.7% (95% CI, 3.3%-4.2%), whereas that among relatives of controls was 0.9% (95% CI, 0.7%-1.2%). Cumulative risk was higher in siblings than in parents among relatives of cases, whereas no such difference was noted among relatives of controls. Individuals with a family history of NPC have a substantially higher risk of NPC. These relative and cumulative risk estimates can guide the development of strategies for early detection and clinical consultation in populations with a high incidence of NPC. Cancer 2017;123:2716-25. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Pretreatment Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase and N Classification Predict Long-Term Survival and Distant Metastasis in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Who Have A Positive Family History of Cancer.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate prognostic factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from the endemic area of southern China who have a positive family history (FH) of cancer. Retrospective analysis of 600 patients with nondisseminated NPC and a positive FH was conducted. The prognostic value of different factors for overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local relapse-free survival (LRFS) were assessed using Cox regression models. The 3-year OS, DMFS, DFS, and LRFS rates were 93.8%, 91.3%, 86.3%, and 93.8%, respectively. The FH tumor type was NPC for 226/600 (37.7%) patients and other cancers for 374/600 (62.3%) patients. The 3-year OS and DMFS rates for patients with an FH of NPC were 91.2% and 89.8%, respectively. Thirty of 600 (5.0%) patients had elevated pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH >245.0 IU/L). In multivariate analysis, N classification (HR 4.56, 95% CI 2.13-9.74, P < 0.0001) and elevated pretreatment serum LDH (HR 2.87, 95% CI 1.08-7.62, P = 0.034) were independent prognosticators for OS. Female patients (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.19-0.95, P = 0.037) and patients with normal pretreatment serum LDH (HR 2.42, 95% CI 1.02-5.78, P = 0.046) had better DMFS. Elevated pretreatment serum LDH and N classification are independent prognostic factors for poorer survival in patients with NPC who have a positive FH of cancer.

Tobacco smoking, family history, and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case-referent study in Hong Kong Chinese.

This study aimed to investigate the associations of tobacco smoking and family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with the risk of NPC in Hong Kong Chinese. Between June 2010 and December 2012, we conducted a case-referent study with 352 incident cases and 410 referents in Hong Kong. We collected information on tobacco smoking and family history of NPC via face-to-face interviews. There were 174 (49.4%) and 131 (32.0%) ever-smokers among cases and referents, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for NPC related to current smoking was 1.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06, 2.61]. Exposure-response relationships were observed between years and total pack-years of smoking, and NPC risk (p = 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). History of NPC in first-degree relatives was associated with an increased NPC risk (adjusted OR = 4.52, 95% CI 2.39, 8.55). The increased NPC risk associated with sibling history (adjusted OR = 6.80, 95% CI 2.63, 17.56) was higher than that for parental history (adjusted OR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.27, 7.25). The adjusted OR for ever-smokers with family history using never-smokers without family history as the reference was 4.54 (95% CI 1.67, 12.34). This study verified the important roles of tobacco smoking and family history on NPC risk among Hong Kong Chinese. The provided evidence supported the knowledge that both environmental exposures and inherited susceptibility contributed to the risk of NPC.

Developing Genetic Epidemiological Models to Predict Risk for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in High-Risk Population of China

To date, the only established model for assessing risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) relies on the sero-status of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). By contrast, the risk assessment models proposed here include environmental risk factors, family history of NPC, and information on genetic variants. The models were developed using epidemiological and genetic data from a large case-control study, which included 1,387 subjects with NPC and 1,459 controls of Cantonese origin. The predictive accuracy of the models were then assessed by calculating the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC). To compare the discriminatory improvement of models with and without genetic information, we estimated the net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination index (IDI). Well-established environmental risk factors for NPC include consumption of salted fish and preserved vegetables and cigarette smoking (in pack years). The environmental model alone shows modest discriminatory ability (AUC = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.70), which is only slightly increased by the addition of data on family history of NPC (AUC = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.72). With the addition of data on genetic variants, however, our model’s discriminatory ability rises to 0.74 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.76). The improvements in NRI and IDI also suggest the potential usefulness of considering genetic variants when screening for NPC in endemic areas. If these findings are confirmed in larger cohort and population-based case-control studies, use of the new models to analyse data from NPC-endemic areas could well lead to earlier detection of NPC.

Prognostic utility of anti-EBV antibody testing for defining NPC risk among individuals from high-risk NPC families.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and a family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are associated with NPC risk. We examined the risk associated with EBV markers and their clinical utility to identify NPC susceptibles within high-risk NPC families. We evaluated antibody titers against viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgA, EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) IgA, and DNase among unaffected relatives of NPC cases from 358 multiplex families in Taiwan. Incident NPC cases were identified via linkage to the National Cancer Registry. Clinical examinations of 924 individuals were also done to identify occult, asymptomatic NPC. Baseline EBV serology was used to estimate NPC risk using rate ratios with 95% CI. Associated sensitivity/specificity and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated. A total of 2,444 unaffected individuals with 15,519 person-years (6.5 years median follow-up) yielded 14 incident NPC cases (nearly 11 times the general population rate). The absolute rate of NPC among anti-EBV EBNA1 IgA seropositives using a standard positivity cutoff versus an optimized cutoff point defined by ROC analyses was 265/100,000 person-years with a 4.7-fold increased risk of NPC (95% CI: 1.4-16) and 166/100,000 person-years with a 6.6-fold increase (95% CI: 1.5-61), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity using the optimized positivity cutoff points were 85.7% and 51.2%, respectively. It is estimated that active evaluation of 49% of individuals from high-risk NPC families seropositive for this marker could lead to earlier detection of up to 86% of NPC cases. Risks associated with the other three EBV markers were weaker. Future efforts are needed to identify susceptibility markers among high-risk NPC families that maximize both sensitivity and specificity.

Alcohol and tea consumption in relation to the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Guangdong, China

To investigate whether alcohol and tea consumption has an etiological association with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a high-incident population, a large scale case-control study was conducted. The study included 2846 individuals in Guangdong Province, China, with 1387 newly diagnosed cases of NPC and 1459 frequency-matched controls. Exposure histories of alcohol and tea consumption were obtained via personal interviews. Information regarding socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, dialect and household type), family history of NPC, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, dietary habits and other potential confounding factors was also studied. An analysis was performed using unconditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The risk of NPC was found to be associated with habitual alcohol consumption and tea consumption. Tea consumption has been associated with a decreased occurrence of NPC (OR = 0.62), while consumption of alcohol was associated with a complex effect. Specifically, moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with decreased risk of NPC, while overuse, especially strong distillate spirits, appeared to be a risk factor.

Effect of family history of cancers and environmental factors on risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Guangdong, China

Background: Family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an established risk factor for this cancer, but the contributions of family history of other types of cancer and its interaction with environmental factors have not been well characterized. Methods: A total of 1845 incident cases of NPC and 2275 matched controls from Guangdong, China were included in this study. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated from logistic regression models adjusted for smoking, consumption of alcohol, salted fish consumption, and demographic factors. Results: A significant association between the risk of NPC and family history of any cancers in first degree relatives was observed, and higher number of affected family member was related to a higher risk ( P trend < 0.01). Family history of NPC was the strongest predictor for NPC (OR: 3.35, 95% CI: 2.46–4.55 for all first degree relatives). The risk of NPC was also positively associated with history of head and neck cancer among parents and lung and breast cancers among siblings. The combination of family history of cancer, especially NPC, and the consumption of salt-preserved fish significantly increased the risk for NPC. Conclusions: These results confirm that the risk for NPC increases with family history of NPC and suggest that lung and breast cancer contribute to risk for NPC. A possible interaction between family history of cancer, especially NPC, and consumption of salt-preserved fish in the development of NPC was also identified.

Serologic markers of Epstein-Barr virus infection and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwanese men.

It is probable but unproven that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We determined whether antibodies against EBV are present before the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A total of 9699 men were enrolled between 1984 and 1986. Blood samples were examined for IgA antibodies against EBV capsid antigen and neutralizing antibodies against EBV-specific DNase. During 131,981 person-years of follow-up, 22 pathologically confirmed new cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma that were diagnosed more than one year after recruitment were ascertained through linkage with the National Cancer Registry of Taiwan. The cumulative risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma per 100,000 person-years was 11.2 for subjects who tested positive for neither serologic marker, 45.0 for those who had one marker, and 371.0 for those who had both markers. After adjustment for age and the presence or absence of a family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the relative risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 32.8 for subjects with both markers (95 percent confidence interval, 7.3 to 147.2; P<0.001) and 4.0 for subjects with one marker (95 percent confidence interval, 1.6 to 10.2; P=0.003), as compared with subjects with neither marker. The longer the duration of follow-up, the greater the difference in the cumulative incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma between seropositive and seronegative subjects. IgA antibodies against EBV capsid antigen and neutralizing antibodies against EBV DNase are predictive of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.