Epstein‐barr virus (EBV) antibody in patients treated by radical radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

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Abstract
Antibody against Epstein Barr Viral capsid (EBV‐VCA) was measured in 65 patients with primary head and neck cancer referred for radical radiotherapy. Sixty‐three percent had locally advanced cancer and 37% had early disease. Forty‐eight percent had detectable antibody in their sera. Thirty‐three percent had elevated titers (above 1:20 dilution). Only 19% of cases with early cancer had increased titers. Almost 50% of those with locally advanced cancer or recurrence following treatment had titers above 1:20. A rise in titer within six months following radiotherapy was associated with a significant incidence of recurrence. There was no correlation between delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction to 2–4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and titer values. EBV‐VCA may be an additional parameter which can be used to determine host defenses in patients with malignancies.