Pre-diagnostic anti-EBV antibodies and primary liver cancer risk: a population-based nested case-control study in southern China
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Published:2023-03-15
Issue:1
Volume:23
Page:
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ISSN:1471-2407
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Container-title:BMC Cancer
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language:en
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Short-container-title:BMC Cancer
Author:
Du Yun,Yu Xia,Chang Ellen T.,Lian Shifeng,Wu Biaohua,Li Fugui,Chu Bing,Wei Kuangrong,Zhan Jiyun,Liang Xuejun,Ye Weimin,Ji Mingfang
Abstract
Abstract
Background
We aimed to investigate associations between pre-diagnostic anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies, including interactions with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and risk of primary liver cancer in southern China.
Methods
In a population-based nested case-control study, we measured pre-diagnostic immunoglobulin A (IgA) against EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) in 125 primary liver cancer cases and 2077 matched controls. We also explored the interaction between HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-EBV antibodies.
Results
Participants with positive EBNA1-IgA, positive VCA-IgA or single-positive anti-EBV antibodies had two-fold odds of developing liver cancer, compared with seronegative subjects. The odds ratios (ORs) between the relative optical density of EBNA1-IgA and VCA-IgA and primary cancer, controlling for age and HBsAg, were 1.59 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17, 2.14) and 1.60 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.41), respectively. Subjects with both HBsAg and anti-EBV antibody seropositivity were at 50-fold increased risk compared with those negative for both biomarkers (OR: 50.67, 95% CI: 18.28, 140.46), yielding a relative excess risk due to interaction of 30.81 (95% CI: 3.42, 114.93).
Conclusion
Pre-diagnostic seropositivity for EBNA1-IgA and/or VCA-IgA was positively associated with primary liver cancer risk, especially in combination with HBsAg positivity. EBV may interact with HBV in the development of primary liver cancer, and anti-EBV antibodies might be potential biomarkers for primary liver cancer in this high-risk population.
Funder
China Scholarship Council
National Key Research and Development Program of China
Eleventh National Science and Technology Support Program of China
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Twentieth National Science, the Technology Support Program of China
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Cancer Research,Genetics,Oncology
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