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Epstein Barr virus antibody and cancer risk in two prospective cohorts in Southern China

Author

Listed:
  • Ming-Fang Ji

    (Zhongshan City People’s Hospital)

  • Yong-Qiao He

    (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center)

  • Min-Zhong Tang

    (Wuzhou Red Cross Hospital
    Wuzhou Cancer Center)

  • Wen-Qiong Xue

    (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center)

  • Xia Yu

    (Zhongshan City People’s Hospital)

  • Hua Diao

    (Sun Yat-Sen University)

  • Da-Wei Yang

    (Sun Yat-Sen University)

  • Zhi-Ming Mai

    (National Institutes of Health
    The University of Hong Kong)

  • Io Hong Cheong

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

  • Zhi-Yang Zhao

    (Sun Yat-Sen University)

  • Biao-Hua Wu

    (Zhongshan City People’s Hospital)

  • Fu-Gui Li

    (Zhongshan City People’s Hospital)

  • Ji-Yun Zhan

    (Public Health Service Center of Xiaolan Town)

  • Chang-Ling Huang

    (Sun Yat-Sen University)

  • Hao-Lin Ma

    (Guilin Medical University)

  • Jun Li

    (Wuzhou Red Cross Hospital
    Wuzhou Cancer Center)

  • Yan-Cheng Li

    (Wuzhou Red Cross Hospital
    Wuzhou Cancer Center)

  • Tong-Min Wang

    (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center)

  • Ying Liao

    (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center)

  • Xue-Yin Chen

    (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center)

  • Zhi-Heng Liang

    (Zhongshan City People’s Hospital)

  • Shi-Feng Lian

    (Zhongshan City People’s Hospital)

  • Yun Du

    (Southwest Hospital)

  • Xue-Jun Liang

    (Public Health Service Center of Xiaolan Town)

  • Zisis Kozlakidis

    (World Health Organization)

  • Jun Ma

    (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
    Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center)

  • Wei-Hua Jia

    (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
    Sun Yat-Sen University)

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in several human cancers, but its broader cancer risk remains unclear. We investigated the association between EBV VCA-IgA antibody levels and cancer risk in two large prospective cohorts from Southern China, comprising 73,939 adults. During around 8-10 years follow-up, 964 and 1026 incident cancer cases were identified in the Zhongshan and Wuzhou cohorts. VCA-IgA seropositivity was associated with higher age-standardized incidence rates for total cancer significantly. In pooled analyses, VCA-IgA seropositive individuals had higher risks of total cancer (HR 4.88, 95% CI: 2.84-8.37), lung cancer (1.76, 1.23-2.54), liver cancer (1.70, 1.10-2.63), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (26.05, 11.77-57.65), and lymphoma (3.20, 1.46-6.99) compared to seronegative individuals. The associations showed an increased dose-response pattern, and keep persistent even up to ten years prior to diagnosis. The population-attributable risk percentage for total cancer due to VCA-IgA seropositivity is estimated at 7.8%. These findings provide prospective evidence that EBV seropositivity is associated with increased risks of multiple cancers. This association results in a heightened attributed cancer burden in Southern China.

Suggested Citation

  • Ming-Fang Ji & Yong-Qiao He & Min-Zhong Tang & Wen-Qiong Xue & Xia Yu & Hua Diao & Da-Wei Yang & Zhi-Ming Mai & Io Hong Cheong & Zhi-Yang Zhao & Biao-Hua Wu & Fu-Gui Li & Ji-Yun Zhan & Chang-Ling Huan, 2025. "Epstein Barr virus antibody and cancer risk in two prospective cohorts in Southern China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60999-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60999-5
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