Hubungan Kadar DNA Virus Epstein Barr Plasma dengan DNA Methyltransferase Kerabat Tingkat Pertama Pasien Karsinoma Nasofaring di Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia. It is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which necessitates screening in high-risk populations. The interaction between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the host's epigenetic response plays a role in identifying suitable screening methods.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the differences in plasma EBV DNA and DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT-1) levels, as well as to analyse the correlation between EBV DNA and DNMT-1 levels in NPC patients and their first-degree relatives.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 25 NPC patients and 25 first-degree relatives of NPC patients. EBV DNA and DNMT-1 levels were measured using qRT-PCR. Differences in EBV DNA and DNMT-1 levels between NPC patients and their first-degree relatives were analysed using the independent samples t-test and the Mann-Whitney test. The correlation between EBV DNA and DNMT-1 was assessed using the Spearman correlation test.

Results: The median, minimum, and maximum values of DNMT-1 relative expression and EBV DNA relative quantity were higher in NPC patients compared to their first-degree relatives. The difference in the relative quantity of EBV DNA was statistically significant (p < 0.05), whereas the relative expression of DNMT-1 did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05). Additionally, there was no significant correlation between the relative quantity of EBV DNA and the relative expression of DNMT-1 in NPC patients and their first-degree relatives (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: There are notable differences in plasma EBV DNA levels between NPC patients and their first-degree relatives, suggesting the potential use of EBV DNA as a disease marker in NPC patients and a risk marker for NPC in first-degree relatives in North Sumatra. However, plasma EBV DNA levels are not correlated with DNMT-1 levels in NPC patients and their first-degree relatives.