Antibodies to Varicella-zoster Virus and Three Other Herpesviruses and Survival in Adults with Glioma

Overview

Journal Neuro Oncol

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialties Neurology
Oncology

Date 2023 Jan 7

PMID 36610073

Authors

Geno Guerra

Lucie McCoy

Helen M Hansen

Terri Rice

Annette M Molinaro

Joseph L Wiemels

John K Wiencke

Margaret Wrensch

Stephen S Francis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Lifetime exposure to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) has been consistently inversely associated with glioma risk, however, the relationship of VZV with survival in adults with glioma has not been investigated. In this study, we analyzed the survival of adults with glioma in relation to their antibody measurements to 4 common herpes viral infections, including VZV, measured post-diagnosis.

Methods: We analyzed IgG antibody measurements to VZV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus 1/2 (HSV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) collected from 1378 adults with glioma diagnosed between 1991 and 2010. Blood was obtained a median of 3 months after surgery. Associations of patient IgG levels with overall survival were estimated using Cox models adjusted for age, sex, self-reported race, surgery type, dexamethasone usage at blood draw, and tumor grade. Models were stratified by recruitment series and meta-analyzed to account for time-dependent treatment effects.

Results: VZV antibody seropositivity was associated with improved survival outcomes in adults with glioma (Hazard ratio, HR = 0.70, 95% Confidence Interval 0.54-0.90, P = .006). Amongst cases who were seropositive for VZV antibodies, survival was significantly improved for those above the 25th percentile of continuous reactivity measurements versus those below (HR = 0.76, 0.66-0.88, P = .0003). Antibody seropositivity to EBV was separately associated with improved survival (HR = 0.71, 0.53-0.96, P = .028). Antibody positivity to 2 other common viruses (CMV, HSV) was not associated with altered survival.

Conclusions: Low levels of VZV or EBV antibodies are associated with poorer survival outcomes for adults with glioma. Differential immune response rather than viral exposure may explain these findings.

Citing Articles

Genetic predisposition to altered blood cell homeostasis is associated with glioma risk and survival.

Kachuri L, Guerra G, Nakase T, Wendt G, Hansen H, Molinaro A Nat Commun. 2025; 16(1):658.

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Association of immunoglobulin E levels with glioma risk and survival.

Guerra G, Nakase T, Kachuri L, McCoy L, Hansen H, Rice T J Natl Cancer Inst. 2024; 117(3):545-553.

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Mercado N, Real J, Kaiserman J, Panagioti E, Cook C, Lawler S NPJ Precis Oncol. 2024; 8(1):213.

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Oligodendroglioma patient survival is associated with circulating B-cells and age.

Taylor J, Warrier G, Hansen H, McCoy L, Rice T, Guerra G Neurooncol Adv. 2024; 6(1):vdae143.

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An Update on the Clinical Status, Challenges, and Future Directions of Oncolytic Virotherapy for Malignant Gliomas.

Stergiopoulos G, Concilio S, Galanis E Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2024; 25(7):952-991.

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