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In a study conducted in Hong Kong, plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels were examined in 1308 adults who were not known to have nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Of these, 69 patients had detectable EBV DNA and three were found to have early NPC. The level of EBV DNA remained elevated on serial evaluations in the three patients but was only transiently elevated in the majority of those who remained free of NPC. In selected high-risk populations, plasma EBV DNA analysis may prove to be a useful screening measure for NPC.

EBV-DNA Screening for Early Detection of Nasopharyngeal Cancer

August 1, 2013

In a study conducted in Hong Kong, plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels were examined in 1308 adults who were not known to have nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Of these, 69 patients had detectable EBV DNA and three were found to have early NPC. The level of EBV DNA remained elevated on serial evaluations in the three patients but was only transiently elevated in the majority of those who remained free of NPC. In selected high-risk populations, plasma EBV DNA analysis may prove to be a useful screening measure for NPC.