Kinetics Of Epstein-Barr Virus DNA In Plasma Of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients During Treatment

Objective : To investigate kinetics of Epstein-Barr Virus(EBV) DNA in plasma of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma(NPC) patients during treatment, and to evaluate its baseline value in the monitoring of NPC.Methods: Using Real-Time PCR technique, the concentrations of plasma EBV DNA were analyzed weekly during treatment in 22 NPC patients treated with radiotherapy alone, and 14 NPC patients treated with combined radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. Blood samples were collected on the first day of each week. The first blood sample was collected within 7 days before treatment. Clinical examination was performed weekly during treatment. Results: Plasma EBV DNA detecting rates and concentrations declined with the increase of radiation dose during treatment in both groups. They had a rapid decline in the second week. The difference was statistical significance compared with the first week(x~2 test, P<0.05; Mann-Whitney U test, P<0.05). There were no significant differences both in plasma EBV DNA detecting rates and concentrations between other weeks (P>0.05). Plasma EBV DNA concentrations changed in several different forms: â‘ Gradually declining to undetectable level; â‘¡Initial rising to a peak, and then declining to undetectable level; â‘¢After...