Ebstein-Barr virus antibodies titer before and after radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Cancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital, 2003 – 2004

Background: High titer of IgA and IgG are found in the presence of EBV genome in epithelial cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In this survey we evaluated the accuracy of EBV antibodies titers in screening and follow up the patients. Methods: Thirty nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were followed from 2003 to 2004. Serum EBV antibody levels were measured before and after ( 3 months ) radiotherapy or combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Results: More than 77% of patients were seropositive before treatment .The antibodies decreased significantly, 3 months after treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: This investigation shows the efficiency of serologic methods for screening of high risk people and follow up of patients after treatment, but more complementary studies is needed