Indirect Immunofluorescence Test for Detecting HSV-1, 2 in Patients with Esophageal Cancer - A Pilot Cross-Sectional Survey in Kazakhstan - Results and methodology

Q: What was the study objective regarding HSV-1 and HSV-2?

To evaluate how detectable HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens are in the esophageal mucosa of patients with esophageal cancer.

Q: How were HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens detected in this pilot study?

By fibroesophagogastroscopy with histological assessment and an indirect immunofluorescence reaction (iIFR), analyzed with descriptive and nonparametric statistics.

Q: What were the main findings when comparing cancer patients with controls?

HSV-1/HSV-2 antigens were detected far more often in the esophageal cancer group (86.7%) than in the control group (6.8%), alongside higher rates of lymphocytic infiltration and observed keratinization in antigen-positive cases.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora

Objective: Evaluate the detectability of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, 2) antigens in esophageal mucosa of patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: Population-based pilot cross-sectional survey with a control group, conducted December 2022 to May 2023, using fibroesophagogastroscopy, histology, and indirect immunofluorescence reaction, with descriptive statistics and nonparametric analysis. Results: HSV-1/HSV-2 antigens appeared in 86.7% of the cancer group versus 6.8% of controls, with associated lymphocytic infiltration and keratinization patterns. Conclusion: Local herpesvirus activity may influence malignant potential and tissue resistance, warranting larger studies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages7

Reading Time18 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Study design

Participants

RESEARCH ARTICLE Editorial Process: Submission:04/16/2024 Acceptance:10/08/2024 Indirect Immunofluorescence Test for Detecting HSV-1, 2 in Patients with Esophageal Cancer: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Survey in Kazakhstan BakhtiyarAzhken*, ValiyApsalyamov, Boris Baryshev, Vladimir Grigorevsky, Alina Shelestyuk Abstract Objective: To evaluate the detectability of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1, 2) antigens in the esophageal mucosa in esophageal cancer. Methods: Across-sectional pilot study with a control group was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: the main group with verified esophageal cancer and the control group without esophageal cancer based on the histological report. Diagnosis using fibroesophagogastroscopy (FEGS), histological analysis, and indirect immunofluorescence reaction (iIFR) was accomplished according to indications at the outpatient center of the endoscopic department of the Multidisciplinary Medical Center, Astana. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric methods were used to analyze the data. Result: A total of 30 patients were recruited in the study, with 15 patients in the main group and 15 patients in the control group. HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens were detected in the 13 cases (86.7%) during the study of biomaterial from patients with confirmed esophageal cancer in the main group and only in one case (6.8%) in the control group (95% CI 7.35-1126.9%, p=0.001). The presence of lymphocytic infiltration was detected in 13 cases (86.7%) in the main group and in 5 cases (33.3%) in the control group (95% CI 2.07-81.48%, p = 0.008). The process of keratinization was identified in HSV-1,2 antigens positive cases in the main group in 5 cases (35.7%) G1, in 5 cases (35.7%) G2, and in 3 cases (21.4 %) G3 (95% CI 1.66-656.23%, p=0.002) . Conclusion: Overall, the local activity of herpesvirus infection to a certain extent influences the malignant potential of tumor cells and the resistance of surrounding healthy tissues. A large-scale study is still needed to confirm these results. The present pilot study provided an overview of a possible method for detecting HSV-1,2 activity in malignant tissue from esophageal cancer. Keywords: HSV-1-HSV-2, esophageal cancer, lymphocytic infiltration, keratinization Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 25 (10), 3559-3565 Introduction Esophageal cancer is one of the most deadly and difficult to treat forms of cancer [1] . According to the source Globocan [2], in 2020, the global incidence of esophageal cancer in both sexes and all ages was 604 100 reported cases (7.79 cases in every 100 000 people) and the mortality rate was 544 076 (7.78 cases in every 100 000 people) . In Kazakhstan, esophageal cancer can also be classified as one of the diseases with the highest mortality rates. According to Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology (KRIOR), the prevalence of esophageal cancer in 2020 in the Republic of Kazakhstan in both sexes was 1 082 cases (5.7 cases per 100 000 people), and mortality was 709 cases (3.8 cases per 100 000 people) [3] . Recent scientific research suggests that microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa, play a role in the etiopathogenesis of malignancies [4]. According to the World Health Organization, 3.7 billion people (<50 years of age [67%]) with HSV-1 and 491 million people (15–49 years of age [13%]) with HSV-2 are infected worldwide [5] . One of the reasons for the malignant transformation of a cell is genetic mutations that occur in the cell as a result of exposure to carcinogens such as viral infections, radiation, chemicals and other factors. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) are two commonly encountered viruses in the herpesvirus family. Therefore, identifying the connection between herpesvirus infection and neoplastic processes is an important issue in carcinogenesis, including esophageal cancer in humans. Thus, dete

FAQs

What was the study objective regarding HSV-1 and HSV-2?

To evaluate how detectable HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens are in the esophageal mucosa of patients with esophageal cancer.

How were HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens detected in this pilot study?

By fibroesophagogastroscopy with histological assessment and an indirect immunofluorescence reaction (iIFR), analyzed with descriptive and nonparametric statistics.

What were the main findings when comparing cancer patients with controls?

HSV-1/HSV-2 antigens were detected far more often in the esophageal cancer group (86.7%) than in the control group (6.8%), alongside higher rates of lymphocytic infiltration and observed keratinization in antigen-positive cases.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora