Dinitrosopiperazine-mediated phosphorylated-proteins are involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis

Deciphering nasopharyngeal carcinoma pathogenesis via proteomics

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in its etiological association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, hidden anatomical location, remarkable racial and geographical distribution, and high incidence of locoregional recurrence or metastasis. Thanks to the advancements in proteomics in recent decades, more understanding of the disease etiology, carcinogenesis, and progression has been gained, potentially deciphering the molecular characteristics of the malignancy. Areas covered: In this review, we provide an overview of the proteomic aberrations that are likely involved or drive NPC development and progression, focusing on the contributions of major EBV-encoded factors, intercommunication with environment, protein features of high metastasis and therapy resistance, and protein-protein interactions that allow NPC cells to evade immune recognition and elimination. Finally, multistep carcinogenesis and subtypes of NPC from a proteomic perspective are inquired. Expert commentary: Proteomic studies have covered various aspects involved in NPC pathogenesis, yet much remains to be uncovered. Coherent study designs, optimal conditions for obtaining high-quality data, and compelling interpretation are critical in ensuring the emergence of good science out of NPC proteomics. NPC proteogenomics and proteoform analysis are two promising fields to promote the application of the proteomic findings from bench to bedside.

Correlation of the expressions of IGF1R-RACK1-STAT3 and Bcl-xl in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of expression of IGF1R-RACK1-STAT3 and Bcl-xl in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with the clinicopathological features and the prognosis of NPC. Our study selected 215 NPC tissues and 178 chronic nasopharyngitis tissues (control group). Positive expression rates of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl were tested by immunohistochemical method, and expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and Bax by western blotting. Correlation of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl with the clinicopathological features of NPC was analyzed. The correlation among those four expression was analyzed by Spearman. The survival of NPC and independent factors of prognosis were tested by Kaplan-Meier and COX proportional hazards model respectively. The NPC group had higher positive expression rates of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl, and elevated expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and Bax. The lymph node metastasis (LNM) group had higher positive expression rates of IGF1R and RACK1 when compared with the non-LNM group. Patients with stage III and IV had higher positive expression rates of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl. There was positive correlation between expression of IGF1R and RACK1, STAT3. Such correlation was found between RACK1 and STAT3. Patients with negative expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl had higher survival rates. The risky factors of poor prognosis of NPC were positive expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3 and Bcl-xl, and LNM. IGF1R-RACK1-STAT3 and Bcl-xl expression correlated with the clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of NPC.

A Review: Proteomics in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Although radiotherapy is generally effective in the treatment of major nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), this treatment still makes approximately 20% of patients radioresistant. Therefore, the identification of blood or biopsy biomarkers that can predict the treatment response to radioresistance and that can diagnosis early stages of NPC would be highly useful to improve this situation. Proteomics is widely used in NPC for searching biomarkers and comparing differentially expressed proteins. In this review, an overview of proteomics with different samples related to NPC and common proteomics methods was made. In conclusion, identical proteins are sorted as follows: Keratin is ranked the highest followed by such proteins as annexin, heat shock protein, 14-3-3σ, nm-23 protein, cathepsin, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, enolase, triosephosphate isomerase, stathmin, prohibitin, and vimentin. This ranking indicates that these proteins may be NPC-related proteins and have potential value for further studies.