EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS AND NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCER

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus, was discovered in 1964, up to now was believed to be associated with many cancers such as nasopharyngeal cancer, gastric cancer and malignant lymphoma… This review focuses on analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of Epstein-Barr virus testing techniques and their clinical application in the treatment of Epstein-Barr virus -positive nasopharyngeal cancer patients according to the motto of personalized medicine. We searched, analyzed and synthesized related articles on Pubmed. Results showed there have been many methods of Epstein-Barr virus testing from qualitative to quantitative, with different advantages/disadvantages, in which in situ hybridization and PCR are preferred. The treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer with positive Epstein-Barr virus is still based on radiotherapy alone (early stage disease) or radiation therapy combined chemotherapy (later stage), but Epstein-Barr virus load is related to prognostic factor, emerging immunotherapy has had promising results. Thus, based on its results, quantitative test is recommended for clinicians in the disease treatment and prognosis, especially in nasopharyngeal cancer.