ArticleBMC cancer2024
Early change of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA load and the viral lytic genome level could positively predict clinical outcome in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving anti-programmed cell death 1 monotherapy.
Article in BMC cancer, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Circulating cell-free Epstein-Barr virus DNA measurement for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: advancing towards ctDNA-guided, risk-adaptive individualized treatment.Science China. Life sciences · 2026Review
- Article
- The evolution of EBV DNA as a biomarker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma immunotherapy: a bibliometric and knowledge mapping analysis.Virology journal · 2026Article
- Predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: from tumor microenvironment to macroenvironment.Frontiers of medicine · 2025Review
- Microbiome meets immunotherapy: unlocking the hidden predictors of immune checkpoint inhibitors.NPJ biofilms and microbiomes · 2025Article
- Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related colitis in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer co-infected with HBV and EBV: a case report.Immunotherapy · 2025Article
- Induction Camrelizumab and Modified TPF (Nab-Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and S-1) in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.Cancer science · 2025Article
- Viral oncogenesis in cancer: from mechanisms to therapeutics.Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 2025Review
- Long-term immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in a patient with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report.Frontiers in immunology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
Abstract
purposePatients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC) have proven benefit from anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) monotherapy. Here, we retrospectively analyze the association of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load and tumor viral lytic genome with clinical outcome from 2 registered phase I trials.
methodsPatients with RM-NPC from Checkmate 077 (nivolumab phase I trial in China) and Camrelizumab phase I trial between March 2016 and January 2018 were enrolled. Baseline EBV DNA titers were tested in 68 patients and EBV assessment was performed in 60 patients who had at least 3 post-baseline timepoints of EBV data and at least 1 post-baseline timepoint of radiographic assessment. We defined "EBV response" as 3 consecutive timepoints of load below 50% of baseline, and "EBV progression" as 3 consecutive timepoints of load above 150% of baseline. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 60 patients with available tumor samples.
resultsWe found that the baseline EBV DNA load was positively correlated with tumor size (spearman p < 0.001). Both partial response (PR) and stable disease (SD) patients had significantly lower EBV load than progression disease (PD) patients. EBV assessment was highly consistent with radiographic evaluation. Patients with EBV response had significantly improved overall survival (OS) than patients with EBV progression (log-rank p = 0.004, HR = 0.351 [95% CI: 0.171-0.720], median 22.5 vs. 11.9 months). The median time to initial EBV response and progression were 25 and 36 days prior to initial radiographic response and progression, respectively. Patients with high levels of EBV lytic genomes at baseline, including BKRF2, BKRF3 and BKRF4, had better progression-free survival (PFS) and OS.
conclusionIn summary, early clearance of plasma EBV DNA load and high levels of lytic EBV genes were associated with better clinical outcome in patients with RM-NPC receiving anti-PD-1 monotherapy.
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