Surface guidance.

Basic science explorations have demonstrated a fascinating synergism whereby the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) invigorates the metastatic potential of EBV+ nasopharyngeal cancer cells by promoting them to become more invasive and migratory. This retrospective look at 792 patients with localized nasopharyngeal carcinoma demonstrating a glaring relationship between EBV-DNA levels and subsequent development of mets, but only among the 18% of patients with HBsAg. In fact, those with HBsAg and EBV-DNA levels surpassing ​​6 × 1000 copies/mL had a nearly 10-fold risk of developing mets, more than those with any other clinical risk factor. | Li, JAMA Netw Open 2023