Antibody to early and late antigens of herpes simplex virus type 1 in patients with oral cancer

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Abstract
Human laryngeal carcinoma HEp-2 cells were infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and harvested at selected times thereafter. IgG, IgA and IgM antibody to virus antigens present in these cells at each time was measured in sera from oral cancer patients, and in matched controls. The IgA response of oral cancer patients was significantly greater than that of controls both at 8 and at 48 h after infection, but showed no difference in response to HSV-1 virus particles. IgM antibody detected 2 peaks of antigen synthesis, at 4 and 48 h after infection. Oral cancer patients had a stronger IgM response than did controls to both early and late peaks; the latter was significant at the 5% level. Oral cancer patients also had a significantly higher IgM response to the virus particle. These results imply the existence of at least 2 different HSV-1 antigens associated with oral cancer. Both are late antigens; one is recognized by IgA, and the other is recognized by IgM antibody.