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Antinuclear antibodies and elevated anti-Epstein-Barr virus titers in cancer patients
Abstract:
One and one-half percent of human sera from patients seen at a clinic for treatment of cancer contained antibodies to the nuclei of chick kidney cells by indirect immunofluorescence tests. In the group of sera containing antinuclear antibodies, the geometric mean titer to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen was significantly elevated. Sera obtained from normal adults or from patients with similar histological types of tumors that possessed no antinuclear antibodies contained lower levels of anti-EBV antibodies. The elevated titers to EBV were correlated with the presence or absence of antinuclear antibodies and not with a particular type or site of neoplastic disease.
Insights
A small percentage of cancer patients have antinuclear antibodies. These patients also showed higher levels of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), regardless of cancer type.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are associated with autoimmune diseases.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus.
- The relationship between ANA, EBV, and cancer requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in cancer patients.
- To determine the association between antinuclear antibodies and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody titers in cancer patients.
- To explore the correlation between EBV antibody levels, antinuclear antibodies, and cancer characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence tests were used to detect antinuclear antibodies in human sera.
- Geometric mean titers to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen were measured.
- Sera from cancer patients, normal adults, and patients without antinuclear antibodies were compared.
Main Results:
- 1.5% of cancer patient sera contained antinuclear antibodies.
- Patients with antinuclear antibodies exhibited significantly elevated geometric mean titers to EBV capsid antigen.
- Lower levels of anti-EBV antibodies were found in normal adults and cancer patients without antinuclear antibodies.
Conclusions:
- The presence of antinuclear antibodies in cancer patients is associated with elevated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody titers.
- This elevation in EBV antibodies correlates with the presence of antinuclear antibodies, not with specific cancer types or sites.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association.