Journal Article

DKFZ-2026-01793

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Epstein-Barr virus antibodies and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a pooled analysis of four prospective cohorts.

Teras, L. R. ; Landry, M. ; Hodge, J. M. ; Pal Choudhury, P. ; Birmann, B. M. ; Cozen, W. ; Hofmann, J. N. ; Jeske, R.DKFZ* ; Purdue, M. P. ; Cerhan, J. R. ; Le Marchand, L. ; Babi, A.DKFZ* ; Patel, A. V. ; Waterboer, T. (Last author)DKFZ*

2026
Springer Nature [London]

Abstract: Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are among the most common cancers in the US, yet their etiology is mostly unknown. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a known driver of rare NHLs, but its role in common subtypes is unclear. We evaluated associations between antibodies to 16 EBV antigens, including 12 emerging markers (anti-: BARF1, BBRF1, BFRF1, BGLF2, BHRF1, BORF1, BPLF1, BRLF1, BXLF1, LF2, LMP1, VCAp40) and NHL risk in prediagnostic blood samples from 2134 case-control sets from 4 prospective cohort studies. Conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Associations across multiple antibodies were summarized using a β‑weighted score (EBVAb score). Eight markers were positively associated with NHL risk. Anti-LMP1 was associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL; OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.12-7.19) only. Six lytic markers (anti-: BGLF2, VCAp40, BFRF1, BARF1, BHRF1, BXLF1) were associated with a 2-3 times higher risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Lytic marker associations for DLBCL and follicular lymphoma (FL) were weaker, with exceptions: anti-BXLF1 and DLBCL: OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.33-3.81; anti-BHRF1 and FL: OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.22-6.18. Anti-EBV scores > 0 were associated with ~50% higher NHL risk, strongest for CLL/SLL (Tertile 3: OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.30-4.55). Select EBV antibodies may serve as markers of common NHL risk.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; Herpesvirus 4, Human: immunology (MeSH) ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin: etiology (MeSH) ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin: blood (MeSH) ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin: virology (MeSH) ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin: immunology (MeSH) ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin: epidemiology (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Prospective Studies (MeSH) ; Antibodies, Viral: blood (MeSH) ; Antibodies, Viral: immunology (MeSH) ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections: complications (MeSH) ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections: immunology (MeSH) ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections: virology (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Case-Control Studies (MeSH) ; Risk Factors (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Biomarkers, Tumor: blood (MeSH) ; Antibodies, Viral ; Biomarkers, Tumor

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Infektionen und Krebsepidemiologie (C230)

Research Program(s):

1. 313 - Krebsrisikofaktoren und Prävention (POF4-313) (POF4-313)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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