Prognostic value of Tiam1 and Rac1 overexpression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
This study is designed to investigate the roles of Tiam1 and Rac1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).


METHODS
NPC samples (n = 102) were analyzed with immunohistochemistry for Tiam1 and Rac1 proteins, 28 of which were also analyzed with quantitative RT-PCR and Western blots for Tiam1 and Rac1 mRNA and protein expression. The expression of Tiam1 and Rac1 in noncancerous nasopharyngeal tissue (n = 26) acted as a control. The expression was gauged regarding stage, grade and survival.


RESULTS
Tiam1 and Rac1 were overexpressed in NPC cells and their protein upregulation was significantly associated with stage and grading (p < 0.05 for all). Cox regression analysis revealed Tiam1 and Rac1 protein upregulation was correlated with lower disease-free and overall survival rates (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Upregulation of Tiam1 and Rac1 proteins may play a critical role in tumor progression of NPC, and work as a prognostic factor for NPC patients.
Qi
Yan
Y
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, XuanWu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
Huang
Bo
B
Yu
Linlin
L
Wang
Qi
Q
Lan
Guiping
G
Zhang
Qiuhang
Q
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001706:Biopsy; D018450:Disease Progression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D000075684:T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1; D015854:Up-Regulation; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; C107953:RAC1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000075684:T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1; C087334:TIAM1 protein, human; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein