PIP5K3 upregulation correlates with unfavorable prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, with metastasis and recurrence leading to poor prognosis. Identifying prognostic biomarkers is essential.

METHODS

We analyzed differentially expressed genes involved in the phosphatidylinositol metabolic process (GO: 0046488) and tumorigenesis (GSE12452) in NPC. Associations between PIP5K3 expression and clinicopathological features were assessed using chi-square tests and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

PIP5K3 was significantly upregulated in NPC tissues, correlating with advanced stage (p=0.001) and nodal metastasis (p<0.001). High PIP5K3 expression was associated with worse disease-specific survival (DSS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMeFS), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS). Multivariate analysis confirmed its association with poor prognosis (DSS: HR=4.321, DMeFS: HR=2.883, LRFS: HR=2.249; all p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PIP5K3 upregulation is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in NPC and may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target.