The relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor in South China and is a multi-factorial disease. The more obvious causes include Epstein-Barr virus infection, environmental factors, genetic factors and chemical carcinogens.

Epstein-Barr virus, also known as human herpes virus type 5, is widely susceptible in the population. According to serological surveys, the positive rate of Epstein-Barr virus VCA-IgG antibodies in children aged 3 to 5 in my country is as high as over 90%. Medical workers say that the evidence that Epstein-Barr virus infection is related to the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma mainly includes the following points:

Presence and expression of EB virus genes

In all cases, EB virus genes can be detected in cancer tissues, and viral antigens formed by gene expression can be found.

High titer of antibodies in serum

The antibody titer of EB virus-related antigens such as VCA, EA, and EBNA in the serum of NPC patients is 40 times higher than that of the general population. The study of these antigens and their antibodies is of great significance for clarifying the relationship between EB virus and NPC and early diagnosis. It confirms the important role of EB virus in the occurrence of NPC.

EBV is not an infection after cancer

Some cases show that there is only a single EB virus strain in the cancerous tissue of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which suggests that the EB virus has entered the cancer cells at the initial stage of the tumor, and is not caused by infection after the cell cancer.

In addition to causing nasopharyngeal carcinoma, EBV is also associated with a variety of other diseases, including cancer. Although the pathogenic mechanism is still unclear and it cannot be considered that EBV is the only cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is undeniable that there is a direct correlation between the two.