Persistent Low Level Epstein-Barr Virus DNAemia in Childhood Cancer Survivors. (13th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahmoud, Shaza S. A.; Fukushima, Takashi; Shimizu, Takashi; Nakao, Tomohei; Yamaguchi, Ryoko; Fukushima, Hiroko; Wada, Hiroki; Nanmoku, Toru; Sumazaki, Ryo
• Is Part Of: Pediatric hematology and oncology. Volume 30:Number 3(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 216
• Page End: 225
• Publication Date: 2013-03-13
• Subjects: Pediatric hematology -- Periodicals; Tumors in children -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Hematologic Diseases -- Child; Hematologic Diseases -- Infant; Neoplasms -- Child; 618.9215
• DOI: 10.3109/08880018.2012.760021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-0018

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <italic>Background</italic>: Clinical observation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status has not documented in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) sustaining long-term remission of malignant diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the EBV status in children with various malignant diseases after they completed their treatments. <italic>Patients and Methods</italic>: Thirty consecutive children with various malignant diseases previously received treatment at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. Nine cases had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 10 had solid tumors, 4 had lymphoma, 4 had CNS tumors, and 3 had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). EBV DNA in 328 whole blood samples were monitored by real-time QPCR for all cases after treatment. Clinical records and laboratory data were also reviewed. <italic>Results</italic>: There were 6/30 (20%) cases with continuous detection of EBV DNA while there were 24/30 (80%) cases without continuous EBV DNA. EBV DNAemia was persistently observed in 4/9 (44.4%) cases with ALL and in 2/4 (50%) cases with lymphoma. Persistent EBV DNAemia can be observed for >5 years without any EBV associated symptoms or diseases. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Childhood cancer survivors have persistent EBV DNAemia more frequently, which is thought to be observed in cases with ALL and lymphoma with higher tendency for >5 years after treatment. Persistent EBV DNAemia is frequent in CCSs aged 5–10 years. Any immunological alteration is speculative in a pathophysiology of persistent EBV DNAemia.</p> </abstract>