The capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinomas: comparison of serum antibody titre, cellular antigen content and histopathology.

In a retrospective study of 21 patients with nasopharyngeal malignancies (lymphoepithelial carcinomas, both undifferentiated and dedifferentiated serological and immunohistological methods were used to examine the significance of the IgG- and IgM-antibody against the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus for early detection and follow-up, and the findings compared with those from a control group. Furthermore, the IgA-antibody is taken into account and presented with examples from the literature. Other possible forms of therapy (combined radio- and polychemotherapy) are also discussed.