Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-based biomarkers are used for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) screening in endemic regions. A recent prospective study describes the use of a new serological biomarker, antibodies targeting the EBV protein BNLF2b, for NPC screening in >20,000 participants. This biomarker yielded both higher sensitivity and specificity for NPC detection in the screening cohort compared with the conventionally used antibodies. Herein, we highlight the key findings of this study and discuss the implications of these results.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$29.99 /Â 30Â days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Ji, M. F. et al. Incidence and mortality of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: interim analysis of a cluster randomized controlled screening trial (PRO-NPC-001) in southern China. Ann. Oncol. 30, 1630–1637 (2019).
Chan, K. C. A. et al. Analysis of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA to screen for nasopharyngeal cancer. N. Engl. J. Med. 377, 513–522 (2017).
Li, T. et al. Anti-Epstein-Barr virus BNLF2b for mass screening for nasopharyngeal cancer. N. Engl. J. Med. 389, 808–819 (2023).
Coghill, A. E. et al. Identification of a novel, EBV-based antibody risk stratification signature for early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan. Clin. Cancer Res. 24, 1305–1314 (2018).
Lou, P. J. et al. Performance and operational feasibility of Epstein-Barr virus-based screening for detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: direct comparison of two alternative approaches. J. Clin. Oncol. 41, 4257–4266 (2023).
Lam, W. K. J. et al. Sequencing-based counting and size profiling of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA enhance population screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 115, E5115–E5124 (2018).
Chan, K. C. A. et al. Plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA and risk of future nasopharyngeal cancer. NEJM Evid. 2, https://doi.org/10.1056/EVIDoa2200309 (2023).
Miller, J. A., Le, Q. T., Pinsky, B. A. & Wang, H. Cost-effectiveness of nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening with Epstein-Barr virus polymerase chain reaction or serology in high-incidence populations worldwide. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 113, 852–862 (2021).
Lam, W. K. J. et al. Recommendations for Epstein-Barr virus-based screening for nasopharyngeal cancer in high- and intermediate-risk regions. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 115, 355–364 (2023).
Acknowledgements
The work of the authors is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China/Research Grants Council (NSFC/RGC) Joint Research Scheme (N_CUHK495/22).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
W.K.J.L. holds equity in Grail and is a director of the DRA Limited. A.T.C.C declares no competing interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lam, W.K.J., Chan, A.T.C. Nasopharyngeal cancer screening with an anti-BNLF2b antibody: a new arrow in the quiver?. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 21, 6–7 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-023-00827-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-023-00827-1
