Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded microRNAs in plasma of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) latently infected by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) expresses 40 EBV BART microRNAs (miRNAs). Difference in diagnostic efficacy of these miRNAs on NPC detection was observed. Here, we performed a comprehensive evaluation on the efficacy of these miRNAs.

Methods: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on plasma nucleic acid isolated from patients with NPC and noncancer donors.

Results: For primary NPC, BART2‐5P, BART6‐3P, BART7‐3P, BART7‐5P, BART9‐5P, BART11‐3P, BART17‐5P, and BART19‐5P were significantly elevated. For recurrent NPC, plasma levels of BART2‐3P, BART2‐5P, BART5‐3P, BART5‐5P, BART6‐3P, BART8‐3P, BART9‐5P, BART17‐5P, BART19‐3P, and BART20‐3P were significantly increased. Area under curve (AUC) analysis showed that BART19‐5P had the best performance to identify NPC which was serologically EBV DNA undetectable. For recurrent NPC, BART8‐3P and BART10‐3P had highest AUC value for identifying cancer in EBV DNA undetectable plasma.

Conclusion: Our data supported the use of circulating EBV miRNAs in NPC and recurrent NPC detection.