Evaluation of total and IgA-specific antibody targeting Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein 350 and nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk

Abstract

Background

We previously reported that higher levels of antibody targeting EBV glycoprotein350 (gp350), an EBV vaccine candidate, were protective against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in genetically high-risk families from Taiwan. The current study attempted to extend this association to a general population cohort.

Methods

We compared total and IgA-specific gp350 antibody levels in 35 incident NPC cases and 81 disease-free controls from the Cancer Screening Program in Taiwan (23,943 individuals recruited from 1991-1992). Luciferase immunoprecipitation (LIPS) assays were used to quantify gp350 antibody levels.

Results

Total EBVgp350 antibody levels were not higher in individuals who remained disease-free compared to those who developed NPC (P=0.11). This lack of a protective gp350 association persisted for cases diagnosed >5 years (OR=1.05; P=0.91) and <5 years (OR=1.85; P=0.40) after blood draw. In addition, IgA-specific gp350 antibody levels were higher in cases compared to controls (OR=7.03; P=0.001). This increased risk was most pronounced for cases diagnosed <5 years after blood draw (OR=11.7; P=0.004).

Conclusion

Unlike our prior findings in those with a strong family history of NPC, total gp350 antibody levels were not protective against NPC development in this general population setting.

from # All Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis via alkiviadis.1961 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2HDwAqe