Prognostic implications of Fas-ligand expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ho
Sheng-Yow
SY
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Guo
How-Ran
HR
Chen
Helen H W
HH
Hsiao
Jenn-Ren
JR
Jin
Yin-Tai
YT
Tsai
Sen-Tien
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins