# Comparative Study Analysis of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: Tissue Versus Blood Samples in Patients With Prostatic Adenocarcinoma and Its Correlation With Clinicopathological Parameters

## TL;DR

This study finds higher Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) levels in prostate cancer tissues than blood, suggesting a possible role in cancer development.

## Contribution

The study is one of the first to compare EBV prevalence in blood versus tissue samples in prostate cancer patients.

## Key findings

- EBV DNA was detected in 64% of prostate cancer tissue samples and 38% of blood samples.
- EBV infection correlated with higher Gleason scores and advanced T-stages in prostate cancer.
- The findings suggest EBV may contribute to prostate cancer etiology and progression.

## Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men. The diagnosis and treatment of PCa carry considerable medical, psychological, and economic implications. Among the risk factors contributing to cancer, viral infections, notably Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), play a significant role. It is recognized as an oncogenic virus associated with various lymphomas, nasopharyngeal carcinomas, and breast cancer cases but its role in PCa remains unclear. This study aims to contrast the prevalence of EBV in blood and tissue samples of PCa patients and assess its correlation with tumor clinicopathological criteria.

In this prospective study, 50 fresh biopsies and 50 blood samples were collected from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PCa. EBV DNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A statistical analysis was then conducted to examine the correlation between EBV prevalence and PCa clinicopathological characteristics. EBV DNA was detected in 38% of PCa blood samples and 64% of PCa tissue samples, with a higher prevalence in tissue samples (p = 0.009). The statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between EBV infection and pathological Gleason score (p = 0.041) in PCa tissue, as well as pathological T-stage (p = 0.02) in PCa blood.

The results show that patients with PCa have higher levels of EBV in their tissues than in their blood, suggesting that EBV may play an important role in the etiology of PCa. This paves the way for further research into the function of EBV as a potential biomarker in the development and progression of prostate carcinoma in order to combat oncogenic viruses.