Molecular diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Past and future

• Published in: Biomedical Journal Vol. 48; no. 1; p. 100748
• Main Authors: Hsu, Cheng-Lung, Chang, Yu-Sun, Li, Hsin-Pai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier B.V 01.02.2025; Elsevier Limited; Chang Gung University; Elsevier
• Subjects: Algorithms; Antibodies; Antigens; Biomarkers; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Biopsy; Cancer; Diagnosis; DNA methylation; DNA Methylation - genetics; Enzymes; Epithelial cells; Epithelium; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - diagnosis; Genes; Genetic factors; Genomes; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Humans; Infections; Kinases; Magnetic resonance imaging; Malignancy; Metastasis; MicroRNAs; Molecular diagnosis; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods; Mortality; Mutation; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma - diagnosis; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma - genetics; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - genetics; Nasopharynx; Patients; Point mutation; Proteins; Review; Tomography; Transcription factors; China; Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); Molecular diagnosis
• ISSN: 2319-4170; 2320-2890; 2320-2890
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100748

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor originated from the nasopharynx epithelial cells and has been linked with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, dietary habits, environmental and genetic factors. It is a common malignancy in Southeast Asia, especially with gender preference among men. Due to its non-specific symptoms, NPC is often diagnosed at a late stage. Thus, the molecular diagnosis of NPC plays a crucial role in early detection, treatment selection, disease monitoring, and prognosis prediction. This review aims to provide a summary of the current state and the latest emerging molecular diagnostic techniques for NPC, including EBV-related biomarkers, gene mutations, liquid biopsy, and DNA methylation. Challenges and potential future directions of NPC molecular diagnosis will be discussed.