Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Many previous studies revealed that salivary and serum IgA response to infectious agents such as
EBV-coded antigens in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) had a vital role in the
combat against tumorigenesis. Moreover, it could be considered as a reliable index for the humoral
limb of anti-cancer immunological action.
METHOD:
One hundred twenty two head and neck cancer (HNCA) patients were selected randomly from two
main hospitals, Alkadhimya hospital and radiotherapy center in Baghdad. Also 100 apparently
healthy control subjects (HC) underwent the same examinations and tests. Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was applied on all HNCA patients sera and saliva, in order to
measure anti-EBV IgA antibodies .
RESULTS:
Revealed that NPC patients were the only group that showed a sero-positive ELISA readings of anti-
EBV serum IgA. No saliva EBV antibodies were detected in the studied groups .
CONCLUSIONS:
S.IgA level seems to be an applicable index for evaluating EBV burden originated from
nasopharyngeal cancerous cells. Such index might help in diagnosing early and specifically the
carcinogenesis of NPC, moreover, might help in evaluating the progress of the disease.