Ho SY, Guo HR, Chen HHW, Hsiao JR, Jin YT, Tsai ST. Prognostic implications of Fas-ligand expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Head Neck 2004;
26:977-83. [PMID:
15390195 DOI:
10.1002/hed.20090]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), Fas-ligand (Fas-L)-mediated apoptosis might contribute to the immune privilege of tumors. In some cancers, dysregulation of Fas-L protein in tumors might lead to disease progression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlations between Fas-L expression and the clinical outcomes in patients with NPC.
METHODS
We recruited 78 patients with primary NPC, classified clinical stages according to the 1997 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system, and assessed Fas-L with immunohistochemical methods.
RESULTS
Forty-one (53%) of 78 patients were Fas-L-positive. The prevalence was 0%, 57%, 58%, and 82% from stages I to IV, respectively (p <.001). Fas-L expression was associated with the N classification (p=.05) but not the T classification. Patients with positive Fas-L expression had a lower rate of disease-free survival and overall survival (p=.01 for all log-rank tests).
CONCLUSION
Patients with NPC with Fas-L-positive tumors had higher clinical stages and lymph node metastasis at diagnosis and poorer disease-free survival and overall survival; therefore, Fas-L expression may be a potential biomarker of prognosis.
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