Epstein-Barr virus infection and plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in head and neck cancers.
CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the correlation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 levels to the radiation toxicity, both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and postoperative status play roles in the change in plasma TGF-beta1 levels in patients with head and neck cancers.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the parameters involved in the change in plasma TGF-beta1 level during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).


METHODS
Blood samples (n=307) before, during, and after treatment were obtained from 39 patients with head and neck cancers treated with definitive or adjuvant CCRT. In situ hybridization (ISH) was used to identify EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in tissues from the primary tumor or metastatic lymph nodes. Plasma TGF-beta1 level, white blood cell (WBC), and platelet count were assayed immediately before the first fraction of radiotherapy (RT), once a week during RT, and at the end of the RT course. The grades of mucositis and dermatitis were recorded weekly during CCRT.


RESULTS
Pretreatment TGF-beta1 level and radiation toxicity were found to be significantly correlated with the increase of the plasma TGF-beta1 level during CCRT (p<0.05), but correlation of platelet count was only found in patients whose tumors were EBV-positive (p=0.0042), and WBC count in those treated with postoperative adjuvant CCRT (p=0.004).
Chen
Hong-Wen
HW
Department of Biomedical Imaging & Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yang
Sheau-Fang
SF
Chang
Yue-Cune
YC
Wang
Tao-Yeung
TY
Chen
Yu-Jen
YJ
Hwang
Jeng-Jong
JJ
D000328:Adult; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood*
D012367:RNA, Viral; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1