Epstein-Barr virus and breast cancer: serological study in a high-incidence area of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Cancer Lett. 2011 Oct 28;309(2):128-36. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.05.012. Epub 2011 Jun 24.

Abstract

We investigated IgA and IgG levels against EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) and nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) in serum of 223 women with breast cancer (BC) and 309 controls in Guangzhou, China. VCA IgA levels were significantly associated with an elevated risk of BC, with adjusted ORs (95%CIs) of 1.70 (1.05-2.76) (seropositivity) and 2.21 (1.11-4.40) (unit increases in OD value). This association was stronger among young, lean, and HER2+ women. The EBNA-1 IgA levels in OD value, but not seropositivity, were associated with an increased risk of BC among ER+, PR+, and HER2+ patients. None of the IgG variables was related to BC. These results suggest the EBV association with BC in an endemic area of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms / virology*
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology*
  • Carcinoma
  • Case-Control Studies
  • China / epidemiology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / immunology*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Incidence
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / analysis
  • Receptors, Estrogen / analysis
  • Receptors, Progesterone / analysis
  • Risk

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1