Biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor that is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia, particularly in China and Indonesia. According to the World Health Organization's global cancer statistics in 2022, there were 120,434 new cases and 73,485 deaths from NPC. Risk factors contribute to NPC development including genetic factors, dietary habits, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This paper reviews the comparison of different types of EBV test for NPC over the last few years and summarized the performance of novel diagnostic biomarker such as newly reported EBV antibody, anti-BNLF2b IgG (P85-Ab), microRNAs, DNA methylation and other markers for detection of NPC. Because approximately 40% of NPC patients show negative EBV DNA levels, additional markers are needed for NPC diagnosis, especially in cases without EBV infection, to make the result trustworthy. The potential biomarkers including circulating tumor cells, proteins, microRNAs and Rta-IgG for prognostic and therapeutic effect also be summarized. This review provides insights into potential biomarkers for early NPC detection and diagnosis, which could lead to improved prevention, treatment, and prognosis strategies.