Novel Therapies Boosting T Cell Immunity in Epstein Barr Virus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumour of the head and neck affecting localised regions of the world, with the highest rates described in Southeast Asia, Northern Africa, and Greenland. Its high morbidity rate is linked to both late-stage diagnosis and unresponsiveness to conventional anti-cancer treatments. Multiple aetiological factors have been described including environmental factors, genetics, and viral factors (Epstein Barr Virus, EBV), making NPC treatment that much more complex. The most common forms of NPCs are those that originate from the epithelial tissue lining the nasopharynx and are often linked to EBV infection. Indeed, they represent 75–95% of NPCs in the low-risk populations and almost 100% of NPCs in high-risk populations. Although conventional surgery has been improved with nasopharyngectomy’s being carried out using more sophisticated surgical equipment for better tumour resection, recent findings in the tumour microenvironment have led to novel treatment options including immunotherapies and photodynamic therapy, able to target the tumour and improve the immune system. This review provides an update on the disease’s aetiology and the future of NPC treatments with a focus on therapies activating T cell immunity.

Molecular detection of human papillomavirus-16 among Sudanese patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland carcinoma

“…Although a study in the United Kingdom identified a subset of nasopharyngeal carcinoma that is associated with HPV-16 [ 20 ], none of our cases showed HPV-16 positivity. This is in line with the established role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) rather than HPV in the etiology of this cancer [ 21 ], and with previous studies in Sudan that showed a high prevalence of EBV in nasopharyngeal carcinoma [ 22 ]. The equal distribution of HPV-16 positive and HPV-16 negative laryngeal carcinoma is higher than the 25% that was estimated by a meta-analysis on the prevalence of HPV-16 in this carcinoma [ 23 ].…”

HNSCC: Tumour Antigens and Their Targeting by Immunotherapy

“…According to the entries on , in the last two decades, eight different EBV vaccination studies have been performed, of which five were completed. A recently published review summarises the current state of the whole field of novel immunotherapies in NPC [ 99 ]. Overall, T-cell transfer has been the most effective strategy with proof-of efficacy from vaccination outstanding to date.…”

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Microenvironment: Past, Current, and Future Perspectives

“…Immunosuppression, mediated by cytokines and regulatory cells, facilitates malignant cells to escape from anti-tumor immune response and promotes tumor growth and progression. Tumor-derived exosomes, carrying viral proteins and immunosuppressive substances, and ligand-receptor interactions, such as PD-1/PD-L1 signalling pathway, also contribute to the construction of an immunosuppressive TME ( 28 , 83 ).…”