Changes in plasma EBV-DNA and immune status in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after treatment with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies reported the early diagnostic values of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the concentration of plasma EBV-DNA and the number of CD8+PD-1+(programmed cell death-1,PD-1) and regulatory T (Treg) cells in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

METHODS:

This study included 37 patients treated with IMRT. Peripheral blood samples were collected two times for each patient, before radiation therapy and 1 week after the treatment. Further, the numbers of CD4+, Treg, CD8+, and CD8+PD1+ cells were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS:

The changes after IMRT were determined by comparing the numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, CD4+, Treg, CD8+, CD8+PD1+ cells, and the concentration of plasma EBV-DNA between pretreatment and post-treatment groups. IMRT could reduce the expression level of PD-1 and the number of Treg cells. The concentration of plasma EBV-DNA and the expression level of CD8+PD-1+ were closely associated with the occurrence and development of NPC. Thus, EBV-DNA can be used as an important marker for early diagnosis, and IMRT can strongly reduce the copies of EBV-DNA.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study showed that IMRT could reverse T-cell exhaustion and reduce the copies of EBV-DNA. In clinical practice, plasma EBV-DNA is a sensitive biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of clinical efficacy.

• Authors: Qi Chen, Wei Hu, Huacai Xiong, Shenpeng Ying, Yanyun Ruan, Bo Wu, Hongsheng Lu
• Journal: Diagnostic pathology (Diagn Pathol) Vol. 14 Issue 1 Pg. 23 (Mar 14 2019) ISSN: 1746-1596 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30871579 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• DNA, Viral

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• DNA, Viral (genetics)
• Epstein-Barr Virus Infections (immunology, pathology, radiotherapy, virology)
• Female
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (genetics, immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (immunology, pathology, radiotherapy, virology)
• Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms (pathology, radiotherapy, virology)
• Prognosis
• Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
• Young Adult