title: Polymorphism of C-terminal activation region 2 of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 in predicting distant failure and post-metastatic survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The C-terminal activation region 2 (CTAR2) of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 is the major site that correlates with metastasis-related signaling pathway. The variation of CTAR2 sequence may affect the incidence of distant metastasis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred forty-nine specimens from consecutive patients with nonmetastatic NPC were collected. Amplification by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of CTAR2 were performed. DNA sequence identical to the Cao strain was grouped as Cao CTAR2, whereas sequences differing from Cao made up non-Cao CTAR2. Clinical characteristics and CTAR2 status were subjected to statistical analysis for distant metastasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-Cao CTAR2 was associated with a statistically significant lower distance metastasis and superior survival rate. A combination of clinical stage and CTAR2 expression provided an accurate method of identifying high risk of metastasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPC patients with non-Cao CTAR2 were less likely to have metastasis develop than those characterized by Cao CTAR2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ping-Ching
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Chen-Kan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Chi-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Kuo-Chen
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Sheng-Po
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Chuen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Kai-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ngan-Ming
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Tsang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D015996:Survival Rate; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins