Prognostic value of claudin-4, nm23-H1, and MIB-1 in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Authors:
  • NENashwa M. Emara
    Nashwa M. Emara
  • AEAhlam A. Abd El-Maksoud
    Ahlam A. Abd El-Maksoud
  • EIEnas Ibrahim
    Enas Ibrahim
  • AZAhmed M. Zeidan
    Ahmed M. Zeidan
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Abstract
Introduction: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a tumor of epithelial origin with complex etiology, and it is one of the most confusing, commonly misdiagnosed, and poorly understood diseases. Currently, the standard treatment for NPC is radiotherapy, but therapy failure is quite common, making radioresistance an important issue. Claudin-4 is a major tight junction protein that regulates the integrity and function of tight junctions. Aberrant expression of claudin-4 has been shown in various carcinomas with diverse prognostic implications. Ki-67 as a maker of cell proliferation and nm23-H1 as a metastasis marker have been widely used by many studies to indicate their close relationship with the progression and prognosis in many tumors. However, little is known about their prognostic values in undifferentiated NPC. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical staining of claudin-4, nm23-H1 protein, and Ki-67 in human undifferentiated NPC, and the relationship between claudin-4 , nm23-H1 , and Ki-67 expressions and both metastasis and prognosis of patients with undifferentiated NPC. Results: The results were correlated with sex, age, extent of tumor, lymph node status, the presence or absence of distant metastasis, and patient survival. Low claudin-4 expression, low nm23-H1, and high Ki-67 expression were associated with distant metastasis and poor survival. Conclusion: Claudin-4 may be a novel biomarker for the prediction of distant metastasis and unfavorable prognosis in NPC, especially when combined with nm23-H1 and Ki-67.

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