Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is ubiquitous worldwide and is associated with multiple cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The importance of EBV viral genomic variation in NPC development and its striking epidemic in southern China has been poorly explored. Through large-scale genome sequencing of 270 EBV isolates and two-stage association study of EBV isolates from China, we identify two non-synonymous EBV variants within BALF2 that are strongly associated with the risk of NPC (odds ratio (OR) = 8.69, P = 9.69 × 10⁻²⁵ for SNP 162476_C; OR = 6.14, P = 2.40 × 10⁻³² for SNP 163364_T). The cumulative effects of these variants contribute to 83% of the overall risk of NPC in southern China. Phylogenetic analysis of the risk variants reveals a unique origin in Asia, followed by clonal expansion in NPC-endemic regions. Our results provide novel insights into the NPC endemic in southern China and also enable the identification of high-risk individuals for NPC prevention.

Sepsis is an important cause of mortality among older adults in the United States. The association between sepsis and subsequent risk of cancer is poorly understood. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database, we conducted a case-control study in US adults. We included 1801156 cases with a first cancer diagnosis in SEER during 1992–2013 (ages 66–115 years) and 200000 cancer-free controls from a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Sepsis was identified using inpatient Medicare claims. Associations with sepsis were estimated using logistic regression. After correction for multiple comparisons, sepsis was significantly associated with increased risk for cancers of the colon (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.12), rectum (1.13), liver (1.47), lung (1.17), and cervix (1.52), as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML, 1.19), chronic myeloid leukemia (1.54), and myelodysplastic syndrome (1.30). Inverse associations were observed for cancers of the breast (aOR = 0.86), prostate (0.75), kidney (0.90), and thyroid (0.68) and for melanoma (0.83), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (0.89), and follicular lymphoma (0.65). Sepsis was significantly associated with the following 9 types of cancer in the period >5 years following sepsis diagnosis: thyroid, prostate, colon, rectum, lung, and liver and follicular lymphoma, melanoma, and AML. Sepsis is associated with increased or decreased risks for a small group of cancers. Factors that may explain these associations include etiologic effects. Other associations may reflect the presence of precursor conditions or patterns in ascertainment of cancer and screening.

A meeting of experts was held in November 2021 to review and discuss available data on performance of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–based approaches to screen for early stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and methods for the investigation and management of screen-positive individuals. Serum EBV antibody and plasma EBV DNA testing methods were considered. Both approaches were found to have favorable performance characteristics and to be cost-effective in high-risk populations. In addition to endoscopy, use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate screen-positive individuals was found to increase the sensitivity of NPC detection with minimal impact on cost-effectiveness of the screening program.

Genetic susceptibility is likely involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Understanding of genetic factors involved in NPC and how they contribute to EBV-induced carcinogenesis is limited. We conducted whole-exome capture/sequencing among 251 individuals from 97 multiplex families from Taiwan (205 affected, 21 obligate carriers, and 25 unaffected) using SeqCap EZ Human Exome Library v3.0 and Illumina HiSeq. Aligned sequences were filtered to identify likely-to-be-functional deleterious variants that co-segregated with disease. Ingenuity Pathway analysis was performed. Circulating magnesium levels were measured in 13 individuals in 2 families with NIPAL1 mutations and in 197 sporadic NPC cases and 237 controls. We identified variants in 12 genes likely involved in cancer pathogenesis, viral infection or immune responses to infection. These included genes postulated to be involved in magnesium transport (NIPAL1), EBV cell entry (ITGB6), modulation of EBV infection (BCL2L12, NEDD4L), telomere biology (CLPTM1L, BRD2, HNRNPU), modulation of cAMP signaling (RAPGEF3), DNA repair (PRKDC, MLH1), and Notch signaling (NOTCH1, DLL3). Pathway based analysis demonstrated enrichment for Notch signaling genes (p-value = 0.0006). Evaluation of individuals within NIPAL1 families suggested lower serum magnesium in NPC compared to unaffected members. A significant reduction in serum magnesium levels was observed among sporadic NPC cases compared to controls (7.1% NPC/1.7% controls below normal range; OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 1.4,14) and is consistent with findings demonstrating a role for magnesium channeling in T-cell responses to EBV. We identified novel genes associated with NPC that point to new areas of inquiry to better understand genetic factors that determine the fate of viral infections and/or otherwise predisposes to NPC.

Background: The discovery of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in Burkitt lymphoma tumors represented the first link between a virus and cancer in humans, but the underlying role of this virus in endemic Burkitt lymphoma remains unclear. Nearly all children in Burkitt lymphoma–endemic areas are seropositive for EBV, but only a small percentage develop disease. Variation in EBV-directed immunity could be an explanatory cofactor. Methods: We examined serum from 150 Burkitt lymphoma cases and 150 controls using a protein microarray that measured IgG and IgA antibodies against 202 sequences across the entire EBV proteome. Variation in the EBV-directed antibody repertoire between Burkitt lymphoma cases and controls was assessed using unpaired t tests. ORs quantifying the association between anti-EBV IgG response tertiles and Burkitt lymphoma status were adjusted for age, sex, and study year. Results: Thirty-three anti-EBV IgG responses were elevated in Burkitt lymphoma cases compared with controls (P ≤ 0.0003). Burkitt lymphoma–associated IgG elevations were strongest for EBV proteins involved in viral replication and antiapoptotic signaling. Specifically, we observed ORs ≥4 for BMRF1 (early antigen), BBLF1 (tegument protein), BHRF1 (Bcl-2 homolog), BZLF1 (Zebra), BILF2 (glycoprotein), BLRF2 [viral capsid antigen (VCA)p23], BDLF4, and BFRF3 (VCAp18). Adjustment for malaria exposure and inheritance of the sickle cell variant did not alter associations. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the anti-EBV serologic profile in patients with Burkitt lymphoma is altered, with strong elevations in 33 of the measured anti-EBV IgG antibodies relative to disease-free children. Impact: The Burkitt lymphoma–specific signature included EBV-based markers relevant for viral replication and antiapoptotic activity, providing clues for future Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis research.