Publications by authors named "Yongqiao He"
Article Synopsis
- The study validated a blind brush sampling technique for collecting nasopharyngeal samples without the need for endoscopy, making it easier to use in community settings.
- It identified key methylation markers from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and host genome that can help diagnose nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
- The diagnostic method demonstrated high sensitivity (84.62%) and specificity (98.44%) when combining the EBV marker BILF2 with the host marker IMPA2, showcasing its potential for wider application in nonclinical NPC screening.
Article Synopsis
- * A study with 274 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients showed that high levels of ofCS-modified CD44 were associated with worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
- * Prognostic nomograms created from these plasma levels can predict patient survival more accurately, indicating that ofCS-modified CD44 could be a valuable independent prognostic marker in lung cancer treatment.
Article Synopsis
- A new study has developed a saliva biopsy method for detecting nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), showing the potential of using oral samples for diagnosis.
- Researchers collected 907 samples, including saliva and swabs, and found significant increases in Epstein‒Barr virus (EBV) DNA methylation in NPC patients.
- The study suggests that using saliva and oropharyngeal swabs together can improve NPC detection and indicates the possibility of self-sampling for home-based screening.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is detected in nearly 100% of nonkeratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and EBV-based biomarkers are used for NPC screening in endemic regions. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) against EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and viral capsid antigen (VCA), and recently identified anti-BNLF2b antibodies have been shown to be the most effective screening tool; however, the screening efficacy still needs to be improved. This study developed a multiplex serological assay by testing IgA and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against representative EBV antigens that are highly transcribed in NPC and/or function crucially in viral reactivation, including BALFs, BNLF2a/b, LF1, LF2, and Zta (BZLF1).
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- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is highly prevalent in Southern China, leading to significant health issues, and current EBV screening methods often result in false positives, suggesting a need for improved screening approaches.
- A Markov model was created using regional health data to compare polygenic risk-stratified screening, which targets individuals based on their 10-year absolute risk, against traditional age-based screening methods.
- Results showed that polygenic risk-stratified screening is more cost-effective for individuals aged 30-54, particularly for men, as it reduces unnecessary procedures and has a higher chance of being cost-effective than the age-based approach.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores the link between oral microbes and their potential role in developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), revealing that these microbes can migrate from the mouth to the nasopharynx.
- It found an increased risk of NPC associated with oral-to-nasopharyngeal microbial translocation, with certain species like Fusobacterium nucleatum identified as prevalent in NPC patients.
- Additionally, the presence of these oral microbes in tumors influences the local environment and interacts with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) loads, suggesting a complex relationship in cancer development.
Article Synopsis
- EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) is linked to various cancers, and understanding its methylation profiles in tumor tissues is crucial for cancer research.
- A study utilizing EBV methylation capture sequencing found distinct methylation patterns in different tumor types, with significant differences identified, especially in EBVaGC compared to others.
- The research also established a diagnostic model with high accuracy for differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from nasal NKTCL, suggesting that specific EBV CpG sites may aid in cancer diagnosis and understanding EBV's role in tumor formation.
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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- Radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) significantly impacts the quality of life and survival rates for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), prompting the need for improved risk stratification tools.
- A large study involving 1189 NPC patients undergoing radiotherapy led to the development of a polygenic risk score (PRS) that effectively identifies individuals at high risk for RBI, with suggested adjusted radiation doses to minimize risk based on genetic predisposition.
- The integration of PRS with clinical factors enhanced prediction accuracy for RBI, indicating that personalized treatment strategies could be developed to optimize patient outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- Large-scale genetic studies found several genetic loci linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), prompting further investigation into biological mechanisms behind these associations.
- A follow-up study involving nearly 7,000 NPC cases and over 10,000 controls identified two new susceptibility loci (9q22.33 and 17q12) and confirmed the role of two previously known loci linked to NPC risk.
- Functional analyses revealed that the genes PHF2 and CDKN2B-AS1 at these loci are crucial for NPC development, with risk alleles affecting their expression levels and consequently promoting NPC cell proliferation.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the link between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules that present Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
- Researchers analyzed 455 NPC patients and 463 healthy individuals, using HLA-target sequencing and predictive modeling to assess how EBV peptides bind to different HLA supertypes.
- Results showed that specific EBV peptides have different binding affinities related to NPC risk, with one HLA supertype associated with higher risk and another offering a protective effect, highlighting the complex relationship between EBV, HLA, and NPC development.
Saliva sampling is a non-invasive method, and could be performed by donors themselves. However, there are few studies reporting biomarkers in saliva in the diagnosis of NPC. A total of 987 salivary samples were used in this study.
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- The study investigates how diversity in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes affects cancer susceptibility across 25 types of cancer using data from the UK Biobank.
- HLA diversity, particularly in class I and class II genes, is linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers, like lung cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, emphasizing its protective role.
- The research highlights that HLA diversity may play a critical role in cancer development, particularly in tumors with higher mutation burdens and among specific groups, like smokers.*
Article Synopsis
- - Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss (CRIHL) significantly impacts the long-term quality of life for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), with age, tumor stage, and cisplatin dosage being key risk factors identified in the study.
- - A genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 777 NPC patients found a specific genetic variant (rs1050851) linked to a 5.46-fold increased risk of hearing loss, indicating a potential genetic predisposition associated with the condition.
- - The research suggests a genetic overlap between hereditary deafness and CRIHL, emphasizing the role of synaptic signaling in hearing loss development and allowing for improved risk prediction for personalized prevention strategies.
Article Synopsis
- This study explored the link between oral hygiene, the oral microbiome, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by analyzing 218 NPC patients and 192 healthy individuals.
- Researchers used advanced gene sequencing to evaluate the oral microbiome and found that poor oral hygiene and dental fillings were associated with a higher risk of NPC.
- The analysis suggested that changes in the oral microbiome due to poor oral hygiene could partly explain the increased risk of NPC, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms at play.
Detecting EBV DNA load in nasopharyngeal (NP) brushing samples for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has attracted widespread attentions. Currently, NP brush sampling mostly relies on endoscopic guidance, and there are few reports on diagnostic markers suitable for nonguided conditions (blind brush sampling), which is of great significance for extending its application. One hundred seventy nasopharyngeal brushing samples were taken from 98 NPC patients and 72 non-NPC controls under the guidance of endoscope, and 305 blind brushing samples were taken without endoscopic guidance from 164 NPC patients and 141 non-NPC controls (divided into discovery and validation sets).
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- Various biomarkers, including oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS), are being tested for their effectiveness in detecting multiple cancer types through non-invasive methods, such as analyzing cell-free DNA and circulating proteins.
- In a study, an optimized ELISA was used to measure levels of ofCS in plasma, revealing that cancer patients had significantly elevated levels compared to non-cancer patients across six different cancer types.
- Further validation showed that individuals in the highest risk category had over 27 times greater likelihood of having cancer, with the potential for early detection based on elevated levels of ofCS.
Article Synopsis
- Recent research highlights the role of oral microbiota in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer notably linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
- A study involving 303 NPC patients showed that those with the disease had a distinct microbiota profile characterized by lower diversity and specific bacteria like Streptococcus sanguinis, which is associated with increased EBV activity.
- Findings suggest that by producing hydrogen peroxide, S. sanguinis may activate EBV, influencing host cell signaling pathways and potentially contributing to tumor development in NPC patients.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to create a polygenic hazard score (PHS) to predict who would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- It involved a retrospective analysis of 1,395 stage I-II NSCLC patients and included a genome-wide association study to derive the PHS from 37 specific genetic markers.
- The results showed that patients with a low PHS had significantly better outcomes with ACT, particularly stage II patients, suggesting that the PHS could help identify those most likely to benefit from chemotherapy.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers aimed to find genetic mutations that contribute to the risk of familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by studying 13 families with multiple cases of the disease.
- Whole-exome sequencing identified three rare mutations in the POLN gene that showed a strong association with familial NPC and affected the gene’s ability to support viral replication.
- The study concluded that the POLN gene is a susceptibility factor for familial NPC, with mutations leading to decreased protein stability and impaired viral function, highlighting its role in the disease's biology.
Article Synopsis
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is linked to genetic factors and Epstein-Barr virus infection, making genetic counseling essential for high-risk families.
- A study involving whole-exome sequencing of 502 familial NPC patients revealed rare mutations in known cancer genes and identified 6 new susceptibility genes, with RAD54L showing the highest prevalence.
- Findings suggest that individuals with both rare and common genetic variants face significantly higher NPC risk, paving the way for better risk assessment and prevention strategies for those with a family history of the disease.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined breast cancer (BC) trends and risk factors in China, Japan, and South Korea from 1990 to 2019, with predictions extending to 2034.
- In 2019, China had the highest BC burden, with significant increases in incident cases and deaths expected through 2034, especially among males.
- High body mass index was the main risk factor for female BC in China, while alcohol consumption posed the greatest risk for males in all three countries, indicating a need for targeted prevention strategies.
The Effects of Alcohol Drinking on Oral Microbiota in the Chinese Population.
Ying Liao Xia-Ting Tong Yi-Jing Jia Qiao-Yun Liu Yan-Xia Wu Yong-Qiao He Xiao-Hui Zheng Mei-Qi Zheng
Int J Environ Res Public Health
May 2022
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the impact of alcohol consumption on the oral microbiota of 150 healthy Chinese individuals, utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Results indicated that drinkers had higher alpha diversity and distinct microbiota compositions compared to non-drinkers, with specific genera and species being enriched or depleted in drinkers.
- Additionally, the research linked these microbial changes to altered metabolic pathways, suggesting that alcohol intake may influence overall health by modifying oral microbial composition and function, which could relate to alcohol-associated diseases.
Polygenic risk scores (PRS) have the potential to identify individuals at risk of diseases, optimizing treatment, and predicting survival outcomes. Here, we construct and validate a genome-wide association study (GWAS) derived PRS for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), using a multi-center study of six populations (6 059 NPC cases and 7 582 controls), and evaluate its utility in a nested case-control study. We show that the PRS enables effective identification of NPC high-risk individuals (AUC = 0.
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