Publications by authors named "Su-mei Cao"

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but the existence of NPC protective antibody against EBV-associated antigens remains inconclusive.

Methods: NPC cases and matched controls were identified from prospective cohorts comprising 75,481 participants in southern China. ELISA and conditional logistic regression were applied to assess effects of gp42-IgG on NPC.

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  • A study was conducted in 16 towns in China to assess the impact of screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) on mortality rates, comparing a screening group to a control group without intervention.
  • Residents aged 30-69 participated in serum tests for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies, and follow-ups were conducted up to December 2019.
  • Results showed a significant 30% reduction in NPC-specific mortality in the screening group, particularly in participants aged 50 and older, indicating that NPC screening can improve survival outcomes.
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  • Researchers want to find a better blood test to help catch a type of throat cancer called oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma earlier, since current tests are not good enough.
  • They created a new tool called SENSORS that can detect important proteins in the blood that can indicate cancer, and they tested it against other methods to see if it's better.
  • In their study, they looked at blood samples from people with cancer and healthy individuals to see how well SENSORS could tell the difference and predict who might have the cancer.
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Background: Screening with anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology and endoscopy decreased nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) mortality in Guangdong in a randomized trial. We conducted a secondary analysis of this trial using local incidence and cost data to optimize screening programs, hypothesizing that screening could be cost-effective in southern China.

Methods: Screening costs and life-years after NPC diagnosis were obtained from the Guangdong trial's intent-to-screen population (men and women aged 30-69).

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  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene variations are important risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
  • A study in southern China used a causal inference framework to analyze how these genetic factors and EBV interact to influence NPC risk.
  • Findings revealed strong interaction effects between high-risk EBV subtypes and certain HLA variations, suggesting that addressing these factors together could significantly reduce NPC risk.
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Previous studies have demonstrated strong associations between host genetic factors and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) VCA-IgA with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the specific interplay between host genetics and EBV VCA-IgA on NPC risk is not well understood. In this two-stage case-control study (N = 4804), we utilized interaction and mediation analysis to investigate the interplay between host genetics (genome-wide association study-derived polygenic risk score [PRS]) and EBV VCA-IgA antibody level in the NPC risk.

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  • Incidence rates of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are rising, largely due to incidental detections, prompting a study on their impact on mortality.
  • A retrospective cohort study analyzed 2874 PTC patients in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2018, revealing that 70% were incidentally detected, with a notable increase over time.
  • Results indicated lower risks for both PTC-specific and competing mortality in incidentally detected patients, suggesting that treatment strategies may need to consider the detection route to optimize patient care.
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Background: Both the incidence of lung cancer and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been increasing worldwide. The relationship between MetS and lung cancer remains controversial.

Research Question: What is the risk of lung cancer associated with MetS and its components?

Study Design And Methods: Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of MetS-related variables on lung cancer risk, both overall and by histologic subtype, in the UK Biobank.

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Objectives: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) C promoter (Cp) hypermethylation, a crucial factor for EBV latent infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, has been recognized as a promising biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) detection. In this study, we develop a novel EBV Cp methylation quantification (E-CpMQ) assay and evaluate its diagnostic performance for NPC detection.

Methods: A novel qPCR assay for simultaneous quantification of methylated- and unmethylated EBV Cp was developed by the combinational modification of MethyLight and QASM, with an innovative calibrator to improve the detection accuracy and consistency.

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Background: Associations between trace elements and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have been speculated but not thoroughly examined.

Methods: This study registered a total of 225 newly diagnosed patients with NPC and 225 healthy controls matched by sex and age from three municipal hospitals in Guangdong Province, southern China between 2011 and 2015. Information was collected by questionnaire on the demographic characteristics and other possibly confounding lifestyle factors.

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NPC is a type of malignant tumor with a high risk of local invasion and early distant metastasis. Resistin is an inflammatory cytokine that is predominantly produced from the immunocytes in humans. Accumulating evidence has suggested a clinical association of circulating resistin with the risk of tumorigenesis and a relationship between blood resistin levels and the risk of cancer metastasis.

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Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation from latent to lytic infection has been considered as a key step in nasopharyngeal carcinoma oncogenesis. However, epidemiological evidence regarding environmental risk factors for EBV reactivation on a population level remains largely lacking.

Methods: We enrolled 1916 randomly selected adults from the general population of Guangdong and Guangxi, China, from 2010 to 2014.

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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and understanding the modifiable risk factors of EBV activation is crucial in the prevention of NPC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between solid fuel use and EBV seropositivity in a high-risk area of NPC. Our study was based on the baseline findings from an ongoing population-based prospective cohort in Sihui county in Southern China.

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Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA detection in the nasopharynx is considered a biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We evaluated its performance as a reflex test to triage EBV seropositives within an NPC screening program in China.

Methods: The study population was embedded within an ongoing NPC screening trial and included 1111 participants who screened positive for anti-EBV VCA (antibodies against EBV capsid antigens)/EBNA1 (EBV nuclear antigen1)-IgA antibodies (of 18 237 screened).

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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a range of epithelial and B cell malignancies as well as autoimmune disorders, for which there are still no specific treatments or effective vaccines. Here, we isolate EBV gH/gL-specific antibodies from an EBV-infected individual. One antibody, 1D8, efficiently neutralizes EBV infection of two major target cell types, B cells and epithelial cells.

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  • The study examined the link between herbal soup and tea consumption and the risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in southern China.
  • Over a follow-up period of about 7.5 years involving 10,179 participants, it was found that higher consumption of herbal soup significantly reduced NPC risk, while herbal tea showed no notable effect.
  • Additionally, herbal soup was linked to lower levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies among participants, suggesting that it may help inhibit EBV reactivation, which is associated with NPC.
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Using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based markers to screen populations at high risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an attractive preventive approach. Here, we develop a comprehensive risk score (CRS) that combines risk effects of EBV and human genetics for NPC risk stratification and validate this CRS within an independent, population-based dataset. Comparing the top decile with the bottom quintile of CRSs, the odds ratio of developing NPC is 21 (95% confidence interval: 12-37) in the validation dataset.

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Background: Liquid biopsy is gaining increasing popularity in cancer screening and diagnosis. However, there is no relatively mature DNA isolation method or commercial kit available that is compatible with different LB sample types. This study developed a PAN-sample DNA isolation method (PAN method) for liquid biopsy samples.

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Background: Although stratifying individuals with respect to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk with Epstein-Barr virus-based markers is possible, the performance of diagnostic methods for detecting lesions among screen-positive individuals is poorly understood.

Methods: The authors prospectively evaluated 882 participants aged 30 to 70 years who were enrolled between October 2014 and November 2018 in an ongoing, population-based NPC screening program and had an elevated NPC risk. Participants were offered endoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and lesions were identified either by biopsy at a follow-up endoscopy or further contact and linkage to the local cancer registry through December 31, 2019.

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Objective: Plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA is considered a biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, its long-term role in NPC development is unclear.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1363 participants seropositive for EBV VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA in a community-based NPC screening program in southern China were tested for plasma EBV DNA levels by real-time qPCR between 2008 and 2015.

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Background: The potential role of occupational exposures in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear, particularly in high-incidence areas.

Methods: The authors conducted a population-based case-control study, consisting of 2514 incident NPC cases and 2586 randomly selected population controls, in southern China from 2010 to 2014. Occupational history and other covariates were self-reported using a questionnaire.

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Objectives: Given the role of exposures related to residence in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been well explored, present study aims to investigate the magnitude and pattern of associations for NPC with lifelong residential exposures.

Materials And Methods: We carried out a multi-center, population-based case-control study with 2533 incident NPC cases and 2597 randomly selected population controls in southern China between 2010 and 2014. We performed multivariate logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of NPC associated with residential exposures.

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Background: The potential effect of alcohol or tea intake on the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains controversial.

Methods: In a population-based case-control study in southern China, we assessed alcohol or tea intake from 2,441 histopathologically confirmed NPC cases and 2,546 controls. We calculated mean daily ethanol (g/day) and tea intake (mL/day).

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Despite evidence suggesting the utility of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) markers to stratify individuals with respect to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk in NPC high-risk regions, no validated NPC risk prediction model exists. We aimed to validate an EBV-based NPC risk score in an endemic population undergoing screening for NPC. This prospective study was embedded within an ongoing NPC screening trial in southern China initiated in 2008, with 51 235 adult participants.

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