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DNA Based Early Detection of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)

The incidence rate of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is remarkably high among Southeast Asia and Southern China regions, particularly Hong Kong. Therefore, it is also known as "Canton Tumor". Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) does not have significant symptoms at preliminary stage, most of the patients would not be aware of the illness and have missed the optimal treatment period. In the early stage of Nasopharyngeal cancer, there are some similar symptoms with common cold, such as nose bleeding, headache, tinnitus, stuffiness, hearing loss, hoarseness and etc. It is reported that approximately 80% of the unscreened patients are in the advanced stage when the illness is diagnosed. There is no vaccine available against NPC at the moment, thus early screening will be the most effective means to raise early awareness, which could also increase the cure rate and survival rate.
Product Code: NPC_DNA
Listed Price: HK$2,700.00
HK$1,988.00
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What is the purpose of having early detection of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)?

Take2 Prophecy™ early screening of NPC is effective in detecting nasopharyngeal cancer at very early stage, allowing the patients to receive appropriate treatment when nasopharyngeal cancer is diagnosed. It is reported that about 80% of nasopharyngeal cancer patients are diagnosed as in stage 3 and 4 (advanced stage) 1, while most patients who have identified nasopharyngeal cancer by Take2 Prophecy™ early nasopharyngeal cancer screening are in stage 1 and 2 (earlier stage). Patients with early detection of NPC have a survival rate of 90% in the next 5 years 2. On the other hand, patients who are diagnosed as in advanced stage, the survival rate is less than 70% in the coming 5 years.

How frequent should it be to undergo early detection of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)?

Early screening of nasopharyngeal cancer is no different from other health screenings. It is recommended to be carrying out together with other annual health screenings. The test could help understand the physical condition of the body, and also to identify if there is any risk factor. If any risk factor for nasopharyngeal cancer is identified, the frequency of re-examination may vary.

Who should be receiving early detection of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)?

According to the report from the World Health Organization in 2018, the incidence rate of nasopharyngeal cancer in Hong Kong is 5-6 times more than the global average 3,4. In spite of the age, gender or background, there is always a chance of developing nasopharyngeal cancer for anyone. There are studies demonstrating that NPC is the most prevalent cancer among men aged 20-44 years 5, and there are confirmed cases for female from the post-‘90s generation 6. Despite the fact that the peak incidence is at 35-65 years for men, there are still findings illustrating that NPC is prevalent among women aged 50-60 years (same for breast cancer, corpus uteri cancer and other common cancers) 7. Early screening of NPC could boost the survival rate of the patients, and allow them to receive proper treatments at the optimal period. Alternatively, the test sensitivity and test specificity could reach over 90%, which is able to offer reliable results for the individuals to proceed with further follow-up actions.

Introduction

  • Non-invasive, only requires blood sample
  • High accuracy (test sensitivity: >97%)1,8
  • With the combined use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and state-of-the-art Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies, the circulating DNA in the blood plasma can be examined thoroughly. Data are then analyzed and interpreted using advanced computer algorithms.
  • Demonstrating low false-positive rate (0.7%)8 (false-positive rate of EBV serology test: 40% 9,10)
  • Invented and clinically validated by a world-class genetic research team of the Chinese University of Hong Kong 1,8

Application

  • Has been clinically proven for detecting NPC among asymptomatic individuals
  • NPC patients are diagnosed at an early stage, able to receive treatments and acquire a higher survival rate

Reporting Time

Approximately 3-7 working days

Risk factors of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)

  • Residing in the Southern China and Southeast Asia regions
  • Individuals aged over 40 years
  • Having smoking habit
  • Having meals rich in salt-cured food
  • Frequently exposing to other carcinogens
  • With family history of NPC
  • Infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
  • Working under conditions rich in formaldehyde (a chemical known as a health hazard) or other chemicals

If you have any of the factors mentioned above, please stay alert and seek advice from healthcare professional.

  1. Chan, K. C. Allen, et al. “Analysis of Plasma Epstein–Barr Virus DNA to Screen for Nasopharyngeal Cancer.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 377, no. 6, 2017, pp. 513–22.
  2. 認識癌症:鼻咽癌. Hong Kong Cancer Fund, 2021, www.cancer-fund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NPC-20C-Revamp-Web_s.pdf.
  3. “Nasopharyngeal Cancer.” Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 2021, www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/25/54.html, accessed 23 July 2021.
  4. Bray, F., et al. “Global Cancer Statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries.” CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, vol. 68, no. 6, 2018, pp. 394-424.
  5. Overview of Hong Kong Cancer Statistics of 2018. Hong Kong Hospital Authority, October 2020.
  6. 癌者治療後易出現口腔副作用,四成受訪者感口腔有鐵鏽味.” HK01, 2021, www.hk01.com/18%E5%8D%80%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E/623584/%E7%99%8C%E8%80%85%E6%B2%BB%E7%99%82%E5%BE%8C%E6%98%93%E5%87%BA%E7%8F%BE%E5%8F%A3%E8%85%94%E5%89%AF%E4%BD%9C%E7%94%A8-%E5%9B%9B%E6%88%90%E5%8F%97%E8%A8%AA%E8%80%85%E6%84%9F%E5%8F%A3%E8%85%94%E6%9C%89%E9%90%B5%E9%8F%BD%E5%91%B3
  7. Hong Kong Cancer Registry. Hong Kong Hospital Authority, www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/. Accessed 23 May 2021.
  8. Lam, W. K. Jacky, et al. “Sequencing-Based Counting and Size Profiling of Plasma Epstein–Barr Virus DNA Enhance Population Screening of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 115, no. 22, 2018, pp. E5115–24.
  9. Chang, Kai-Ping, et al. “Complementary Serum Test of Antibodies to Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen-1 and Early Antigen: A Possible Alternative for Primary Screening of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.” Oral Oncology, vol. 44, no. 8, 2008, pp. 784–92.
  10. Tay, Joshua K., et al. “Screening in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Current Strategies and Future Directions.” Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports, vol. 2, no. 1, 2013, pp. 1–7.