Study on Plasma Factors in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Tan Eng-lai, Selvaratnam G, Kananathan R, Sam Choon-kook
Primary Institution: International Medical University, NCI Cancer Hospital, University of Malaya
Hypothesis
To investigate the correlations between plasma EBV DNA load and the levels of interleukin-6, IL-10, TGF-β1, and SCF in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
Conclusion
EBV DNA load and IL-6 levels are promising markers for the presence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and for assessing treatment outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- A significant decrease in EBV DNA load was detected in plasma of untreated NPC patients following treatment.
- Plasma EBV DNA load was shown to be a good prognosticator for disease progression.
- A significant difference in IL-6 levels was noted between untreated patients and following treatment.
Takeaway
This study looked at blood samples from patients with a type of throat cancer to see how certain virus levels and proteins change with treatment.
Methodology
Plasma EBV DNA was quantified using real-time quantitative PCR, and levels of interleukins and growth factors were measured using ELISA.
Limitations
The study had a limited follow-up period and some patients were lost to follow-up.
Participant Demographics
Patients were untreated, pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients from Malaysia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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