Epstein ? Barr Virus Antibody Titres in Head and Neck Cancer

The study compares Epstein Barr virus (EBV) antibody titres between head and neck cancer (HNC) cancer patients and healthy control persons. It also investigates the virus antibody titre among some HNC clinic-histopathologic factors. Sera samples were obtained from 100 HNC patients and 82 healthy controls. The samples were analysed and screened for IgG and IgA antibody against EBV VCA and EA using ELISA. The results showed that the EBV antibody levels were significantly higher in patients than controls except for IgA-VCA (P=0.380). The cancer type was significantly associated with EBV IgG-EA and IgA-EA, both had the highest titre in NPC. The oral cavity cancer (for IgG-EA) and salivary gland (for IgA-EA) cancer also had high antibody levels within the same titre range as NPC. Only IgA-EA was significantly associated with undifferentiated grade (p=0.006) and lymphoepithelioma histologic type of HNC (p=0.006). These factors were only attributed to 19 out of the 24 NPC in the study. The clinical stage of the HNC was not associated with the EBV antibody levels. Based on the results obtained, HNC patients harbour higher EBV antibody titres than control and there is possible involvement of EBV in the progression of these NPC, Oral cavity and salivary gland carcinogenesis. A further experiment on tissue samples is recommended to investigate the role of EBV in various HNC carcinogenesis. The study compares Epstein Barr virus (EBV) antibody titres between head and neck cancer (HNC) cancer patients and healthy control persons. It also investigates the virus antibody titre among some HNC clinic-histopathologic factors. Sera samples were obtained from 100 HNC patients and 82 healthy controls. The samples were analysed and screened for IgG and IgA antibody against EBV VCA and EA using ELISA. The results showed that the EBV antibody levels were significantly higher in patients than controls except for IgA-VCA (P=0.380). The cancer type was significantly associated with EBV IgG-EA and IgA-EA, both had the highest titre in NPC. The oral cavity cancer (for IgG-EA) and salivary gland (for IgA-EA) cancer also had high antibody levels within the same titre range as NPC. Only IgA-EA was significantly associated with undifferentiated grade (p=0.006) and lymphoepithelioma histologic type of HNC (p=0.006). These factors were only attributed to 19 out of the 24 NPC in the study. The clinical stage of the HNC was not associated with the EBV antibody levels. Based on the results obtained, HNC patients harbour higher EBV antibody titres than control and there is possible involvement of EBV in the progression of these NPC, Oral cavity and salivary gland carcinogenesis. A further experiment on tissue samples is recommended to investigate the role of EBV in various HNC carcinogenesis.