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Diagnostic Pathology

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research

Prognostic implication of neuropilin-1 upregulation in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Authors: Yu Xu, Peizhong Li, Xin Zhang, Junying Wang, Dongsheng Gu, Yao Wang

Published in: Diagnostic Pathology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Objective

As a receptor for both vascular endothelial growth factors and semaphorin, neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is reported to be up-regulated in cells of several cancers. However, its roles in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are still unclear. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of NRP-1 in NPC tissues, to clarify the clinical significance of NRP-1 expression in NPC as well as the potential prognostic implication of NRP-1 expression.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of NRP-1 in tumor tissue samples from 266 NPC patients. The association of NRP-1 protein expression with the clinicopathological characteristics and the prognosis of NPC were subsequently assessed.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 176 of 266 (66.17%) paraffin-embedded archival NPC biopsies showed high expression of NRP-1, but no non-cancerous nasopharyngeal specimens showed positive expression of NRP-1. In addition, high NRP-1 expression was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.02), positive recurrence (P = 0.001) and metastasis status (P = 0.001) of NPC. Moreover, the NPC patients with higher NRP-1 expression had shorter overall survival, whereas patients with lower NRP-1 expression had better survival (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the multivariate analysis indicated that the overexpression of NRP-1 protein was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.001) in NPC patients.

Conclusion

These findings suggest for the first time that NRP-1 upregulation may be a novel biomarker for the prediction of advanced tumor progression and unfavorable prognosis in NPC patients who may benefit from alternative treatment strategy and targeted treatment.

Virtual slides

The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1507827881105018.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Prognostic implication of neuropilin-1 upregulation in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yu Xu
Peizhong Li
Xin Zhang
Junying Wang
Dongsheng Gu
Yao Wang
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Diagnostic Pathology / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1746-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1596-8-155

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Prognostic implication of neuropilin-1 upregulation in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Virtual slides

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Virtual slides

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