[Apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To study apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 73 cases of NPC and 20 cases of chronic nasopharyngitis were used in this study. Using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (Tunel) and immunohisytochemistry S-P method, the apoptotic rate (AR) and expression of p16 and bcl-2 protein were examined.

RESULTS

Few apoptotic cells were found in NPC, the AR significantly lower than that of chronic nasopharyngitis (P < 0.01). The frequency of expression of p16 and bcl-2 in NPC was 28.8% (21/73) and 81.2% (59/73), respectively, while that in chronic nasopharyngitis was 90% (18/20) and 15% (3/20), respectively. In NPC, expression of p16 was positively correlated, while bcl-2 negatively correlated with the AR (P < 0.01). According to 3-year follow up, the survival rate was higher in NPC patients with AR > 2.0 and negative bcl-2 expression, whereas that was higher in patients with positive expression of p16.

CONCLUSION

Apoptosis is inhibited in NPC which may be related to p16 and bcl-2 gene dysregulation. Apoptosis correlates with prognosis in NPC patients.