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MEDTECH Can the long-term monitoring of Epstein-Barr virus DNA serve as a turning point in early nasopharyngeal cancer detection and improved survival rates?
Groundbreaking research reveals the long-term efficacy of circulating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA analysis for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) screening, emphasizing its potential in early diagnosis and improved survival rates.
Key Points:
- Initial study demonstrated improved survival rates with NPC screening via circulating EBV DNA analysis.
- Follow-up screening after a median of 43 months included 88.6% (17,838) of initial 20,174 volunteers.
- Persistent plasma EBV DNA was found in 2.37% (423) of rescreened volunteers.
- NPC was detected in 24 of these 423 individuals.
- Majority of the identified patients (67%) were in early-stage (I/II) of cancer compared to a historical cohort (20%), chi-square test, P<0.001.
- 100% 3-year progression-free survival was observed in these patients versus 78.8% in the historical cohort.
Additional Points:
- Relative risks of having cancer in the second round were 4.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 15.0) and 16.8 (95% confidence interval, 5.7 to 49.6) for participants with transiently and persistently positive results in the first round, respectively.
Conclusion:
- Individuals with detectable plasma EBV DNA, even without an immediately identifiable NPC, were more likely to have the cancer identified in a subsequent screening performed 3 to 5 years later.
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Did You Know?
According to the World Health Organization, nasopharyngeal cancer is significantly prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, accounting for up to 25% of all cancers in some areas.
