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.
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.
Pai
Ping-Ching
PC
Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Tseng
Chen-Kan
CK
Chuang
Chi-Cheng
CC
Wei
Kuo-Chen
KC
Hao
Sheng-Po
SP
Hsueh
Chuen
C
Chang
Kai-Ping
KP
Tsang
Ngan-Ming
NM
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*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins