ArticleBMJ open2025
Diagnostic value of BNLF2b antibody, dual-antibody testing and Epstein-Barr virus DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a prospective cohort study in Hunan Province, China.
Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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6 authors.
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Abstract
objectivesThis study evaluates the diagnostic value of the BNLF2b antibody, dual antibody testing and Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV-DNA) individually and in combination for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) detection.
designA prospective cohort study.
settingThe study was conducted at Hunan Cancer Hospital, in a region in China with a high incidence of NPC, between January 2024 and June 2024.
participantsA total of 350 patients with suspected NPC were enrolled based on clinical suspicion (eg, metastatic cervical lymph nodes or nasopharyngeal abnormalities with non-specific symptoms). The inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years, residency in Hunan Province, and provision of informed consent. The exclusion criteria included prior history of NPC or other head and neck malignancies, severe immunological/systemic diseases and inability to complete diagnostic evaluations. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, clinical and biomarker data were collected, including BNLF2b antibody, EBV-DNA and dual antibody testing. Diagnostic performance metrics were calculated against histopathological confirmation as the gold standard. Follow-up assessments were conducted for non-NPC cases.
resultsAmong 350 suspected NPC participants, 74 were diagnosed with NPC through biopsy. BNLF2b antibody exhibited the highest sensitivity (83.78%) and specificity (95.65%) among single biomarkers in NPC diagnosis, outperforming dual-antibody testing and EBV-DNA. Combining BNLF2b with dual-antibody testing improved specificity to 99.64%, although with reduced sensitivity (67.57%). NPC-diagnosed participants and those testing positive for BNLF2b or dual antibody biomarkers had a significantly higher prevalence of family history of NPC (p<0.05). Alcohol consumption was significantly more common among dual antibody-positive participants compared with antibody-negative participants (p<0.05). One NPC case was identified during follow-up, which tested positive for BNLF2b antibody and the dual antibody method at baseline and follow-up, underscoring the predictive value of these biomarkers.
conclusionThe BNLF2b antibody is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for NPC detection, particularly for early-stage disease. Combining BNLF2b with the dual antibody method enhances specificity, making it valuable for identifying at-risk individuals and guiding early interventions.
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