Relation Between EB Virus Infection and Curative Effect, Prognosis of Patients with Early-stage Extranodal Nasal-type NK/T-cell Lymphoma

Objective To explore the correlation of pretreatment EBV DNA load, EBV EA-IgA and VCA-IgA antibodies levels with the clinical characteristics, curative effect and prognosis of the patients with early-stage extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL).

Methods We analyzed the clinical features and prognostic factors of 78 ENKTCL patients.

Results Positive rates of pretreatment EBV DNA, VCA-IgA and EA-IgA were 43.6%, 20.5% and 14.1%, respectively. EBV DNA was significantly associated with Ann Arbor stage, primary site, PTI and non-CR (all P < 0.05). VCA-IgA and EA-IgA were related to positive EBV DNA and non-CR (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age, EBV DNA and non-CR were independent prognostic factors for OS (all P < 0.05); age, EBV DNA, primary site and non-CR were independent prognostic factors for PFS (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion The pretreatment positive EBV DNA is related to advanced Ann Arbor stage, PTI, primary extra-nasal subtypes of upper aerodigestive tract and poor response to treatment. The elevated levels of EA-IgA and VCA-IgA are related to positive EBV DNA and poor response to treatment. Pretreatment EBV DNA could be used for risk stratification and prognosis prediction of ENKTCL, while EA-IgA and VCA-IgA play limited role in guiding the prognosis of ENKTCL.