Quantification of familial risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a high‐incidence area

Abstract

Background No studies have explored familial risks of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in detail and quantified its lifetime risk in high-incidence populations. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control study of 2,499 NPC cases and 2,576 controls randomly selected in southern China in 2010–2014. We used unconditional logistic regression to estimate multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with family history of NPC. In addition, we compiled a reconstructed cohort comprising 40,781 first-degree relatives of cases and controls to calculate lifetime cumulative risk of NPC. Results Individuals with a first-degree family history of NPC were at a greater than 4-fold (OR=4.6, 95% CI: 3.5 to 6.1) risk for NPC, compared to those without, but had no excess risk of other malignancies. The excess risk was higher for a maternal than a paternal history and slightly stronger for a sibling than a parental history, and for a sororal than a fraternal history. Among relatives of cases, the cumulative risk of NPC up to age 74 was 3.7% (95% CI: 3.3% to 4.2%), whereas that among relatives of controls was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.7% to 1.2%). Cumulative risk was higher in siblings than in parents among relatives of cases, while no such difference was noted among relatives of controls. Conclusions People with a family history of NPC have a substantially higher risk for NPC. These relative and cumulative risk estimates can guide strategy development for early detection and clinical consultation in NPC high-incidence populations.

Impact of age on survival of locoregional nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program database, 2004‐2013

“…Our study of the survival of older patients with NPC in a diverse population of Americans complements and expands upon previous large studies conducted in Asia. One of the largest was conducted by Huang and colleagues in Taiwan . Their analysis of more than 13 000 patients revealed not only that older (over 60) patients had worse 5‐ and 8‐year survival than did younger (under 40) patients, but also that survival of older patients decreased more than that of younger patients between 5 and 8 years after diagnosis.…”

“…A role for female‐specific hormones has been postulated but not yet definitively proven . Besides gender and viral infection, other factors thought to have an impact in high‐incidence regions include tobacco, dietary intake of salted foods, and a family history of NPC . In addition to these demographic and life‐style factors, genetic variants of as many as 20 genes are thought to increase susceptibility to NPC …”

“…15 Besides gender and viral infection, other factors thought to have an impact in high-incidence regions include tobacco, dietary intake of salted foods, and a family history of NPC. 3,14,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] In addition to these demographic and life-style factors, genetic variants of as many as 20 genes are thought to increase susceptibility to NPC. 5,[24][25][26] Understanding the unique epidemiology of NPC in patients of different ethnicities, regions, and genders has required a focused effort by the research community.…”

Systematic comparison of plasma EBV DNA, anti‐EBV antibodies and miRNA levels for early detection and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Among the top 20 countries with highest incidence and mortality rates of NPC, 17 are low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), 10 of which are located in Southeast Asia. It is known that the family members of NPC patients have two to nine folds higher risk in developing NPC . The lowest social class group had 4.1 odds ratio in developing NPC .…”

Rediscovery of NF‐κB signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: How genetic defects of NF‐κB pathway interplay with EBV in driving oncogenesis?

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that genetic factors contribute to the development of NPC. Individuals with a first‐degree family history of NPC were at an 4.0‐fold greater relative risk for developing NPC as compared with those without such a history (Liu et al, ). Several studies have documented familial aggregation of NPC in endemic regions (Feng et al, ; Xiong et al, ).…”