Epstein-Barr virus DNA in serum as an early prognostic marker in children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract

Assay of cell-free DNA in blood offers an approach to assessment of tumor DNA. We sought to determine whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in cell-free blood is also a good surrogate for the presence of tumor DNA in children with Hodgkin lymphoma, as it is in adults, and whether it correlates with pediatric outcomes. Pediatric patients enrolled in a Children's Oncology Group trial (AHOD0031) were studied at baseline and at 8 days after the initiation of treatment. At baseline, EBV DNA in cell-free blood correlated with the presence of EBV in tumor, and EBV DNA 8 days after the initiation of therapy predicted inferior event-free survival. EBV DNA in cell-free blood warrants further investigation as a marker of inadequate tumor response in Hodgkin lymphoma. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00025259.

• Authors: Jennifer J G Welch, Cindy L Schwartz, Meghan Higman, Lu Chen, Allen Buxton, Jennifer A Kanakry, Samir B Kahwash, Robert E Hutchison, Debra L Friedman, Richard F Ambinder
• Journal: Blood advances (Blood Adv) Vol. 1 Issue 11 Pg. 681-684 (Apr 25 2017) ISSN: 2473-9529 [Print] United States
• PMID: 29296710 (Publication Type: Journal Article)