Determinants of Epstein-Barr virus-positive gastric cancer: an international pooled analysis
2011

Determinants of EBV-positive gastric cancer

Sample size: 5081 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Camargo M C, Murphy G, Koriyama C, Pfeiffer R M, Kim W H, Herrera-Goepfert R, Corvalan A H, Carrascal E, Abdirad A, Anwar M, Hao Z, Kattoor J, Yoshiwara-Wakabayashi E, Eizuru Y, Rabkin C S, Akiba S

Primary Institution: Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health

Hypothesis

This study aimed to identify additional determinants of EBV positivity and their joint effects.

Conclusion

Aggregating individual-level data provides additional information over meta-analyses and supports the classification of EBV-associated gastric cancer as a distinct aetiologic entity.

Supporting Evidence

  • EBV positivity was significantly higher in males and young subjects.
  • Non-antral subsites and diffuse-type histology were associated with higher EBV positivity.
  • Significant interactions were found between sex and age, and sex and subsite.

Takeaway

This study looked at many cases of stomach cancer to see how the Epstein-Barr virus affects it, finding that certain factors like age and gender play a big role.

Methodology

The study pooled individual-level data from 15 international populations and used random effects meta-analysis to estimate odds ratios of EBV positivity.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from the variability in laboratory testing and data collection methods across different studies.

Limitations

The study did not include populations from North America or Europe, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

The study included gastric cancer cases from diverse populations across Asia and Latin America.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.003

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 6.1–9.8

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/bjc.2011.215

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication