Tao Qian, Chan Anthony T C
Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Expert Rev Mol Med. 2007 May 4;9(12):1-24. doi: 10.1017/S1462399407000312.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent tumour in southern China and southeast Asia, particularly in the Cantonese population, where its incidence has remained high for decades. Recent studies have demonstrated that the aetiology of NPC is complex, involving multiple factors including genetic susceptibility, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and exposure to chemical carcinogens. During development of the disease, viral infection and multiple somatic genetic and epigenetic changes synergistically disrupt normal cell function, thus contributing to NPC pathogenesis. NPC is highly radiosensitive and chemosensitive, but treatment of patients with locoregionally advanced disease remains problematic. New biomarkers for NPC, including EBV DNA copy number or methylation of multiple tumour suppressor genes, which can be detected in serum and nasopharyngeal brushings, have been developed for the molecular diagnosis of this tumour. Meanwhile, new therapeutic strategies such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and immuno- and epigenetic therapies might lead to more specific and effective treatments.
鼻咽癌（NPC）在中国南方和东南亚地区，尤其是在粤语人群中是一种常见肿瘤，其发病率在数十年间一直居高不下。最近的研究表明，鼻咽癌的病因复杂，涉及多种因素，包括遗传易感性、感染爱泼斯坦-巴尔病毒（EBV）以及接触化学致癌物。在疾病发展过程中，病毒感染以及多种体细胞遗传和表观遗传变化协同破坏正常细胞功能，从而导致鼻咽癌的发病机制。鼻咽癌对放疗和化疗高度敏感，但局部晚期疾病患者的治疗仍然存在问题。已经开发出用于鼻咽癌的新生物标志物，包括可在血清和鼻咽刷片中检测到的EBV DNA拷贝数或多个肿瘤抑制基因的甲基化，用于该肿瘤的分子诊断。同时，诸如调强放射治疗以及免疫和表观遗传治疗等新的治疗策略可能会带来更具特异性和有效性的治疗方法。
