Researchers have identified a notable connection between certain variants of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This type of cancer is particularly widespread in southern China, where its occurrence is 20 times greater than in areas where it is not commonly found.
Researchers from the LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) have made a significant finding linking particular variants of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). NPC is a form of cancer that is especially common in southern China, occurring 20 times more frequently than in non-endemic areas around the globe. These results, published in the journal PLoS Pathogens, lay the groundwork for further scientific inquiry and may lead to advancements in population screening and diagnostic methods.
NPC, often called ‘Cantonese Cancer,’ predominantly affects men aged 30 to 60 in southern China, which includes Guangdong and Hong Kong, as well as parts of Southeast Asia. The risk of developing NPC is linked to a combination of genetic factors, environmental influences, and viral infections. The researchers stress the importance of understanding how EBV contributes to the development of NPC, as the virus is completely associated with this type of cancer.
Background
EBV has long been recognized as having a close link to the onset of NPC. However, recent studies by primary investigators from HKUMed and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre have uncovered that certain variants of EBV might increase the likelihood of developing NPC, which is usually diagnosed in its later stages. Early detection is crucial for improving survival rates and minimizing the long-term side effects of treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing research and increased public awareness about NPC contributing factors.
Research results and significance
The HKUMed research team carried out a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), utilizing data from two groups in Hong Kong and one group from Guangdong province, totaling 279 EBV genomic sequences from NPC patients and 227 from healthy carriers in Hong Kong and southern China. The study found that a high-risk EBV haplotype was present in about 70% of NPC cases, in contrast to approximately 30% of the population carriers. The identification of nine genetic markers linked to a high-risk EBV lineage may assist in predicting NPC presence, paving the way for new screening and diagnostic approaches.
According to Professor Alan Chiang Kwok Shing, the lead investigator of the study from the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at HKUMed, recognizing a specific high-risk EBV lineage provides crucial information for future exploration into disease mechanisms and the development of targeted screening and diagnostic tests for NPC in regions where it is common, such as Hong Kong and southern China, ultimately enhancing patient care.
“Our analysis of substantial datasets from southern China validated the relationship between particular genetic variants near the EBER2 region of the EBV genome and NPC. These high-risk variants are closely associated and form a more extensive risk haplotype,” stated Professor Chiang.
About the research team
The investigation was led by Professor Alan Chiang Kwok Shing and co-investigator Professor Yang Wanling, both of whom are part of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at HKUMed. Key research team members include Dr. Wong Ka-wo and Dr. Hui Kwai-fung. Other collaborating researchers include Professor Dora Kwong Lai-wan and Professor Maria Lung Li from the Department of Clinical Oncology at HKUMed.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Health and Medical Research Fund from the Health Bureau of the HKSAR government and received assistance from the NPC Tissue Bank, which is part of the Research Grants Council Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme that provided additional samples related to NPC.
