High incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer: similarity for 60% of mitochondrial DNA signatures between the Bidayuhs of Borneo and the Bai-yue of Southern China

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Sarawak : a 10-year review and update

AIM

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in certain regions, particularly Southeast Asia and Southern China. In Malaysia, it is notably frequent among the Bidayuh community. This study presents a comprehensive review of NPC cases diagnosed and treated at Sarawak General Hospital from 2010 to 2020.

METHOD

A retrospective data collection was conducted using the clinical records of patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with NPC at the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Clinic and the Radiotherapy & Oncology Clinic at Sarawak General Hospital.

RESULT

The study comprised a total of 892 patients from 2010 to 2020. Males outnumbered females 3-to-1, with a mean age of 51 years (standard deviation: 13.9). The largest groups of patients were the Iban (34%) and the Bidayuh (21%), followed by the Chinese (19%) and the Malay (15%). The Bidayuh had the highest incidence rate with 81 cases per 100,000. Only 10% of the study population had a family history of NPC. The most common presentation was a neck lump (64.5%). Distant metastasis was discovered in 20% of patients. 82% of the cases were stage 3 or 4 at the time of presentation. The histological types of the 892 cases were mainly undifferentiated carcinoma (73%). Eighty-six patients developed recurrence, with 83% experiencing local recurrence, 10% developing distant metastasis, and 7% developing regional recurrence. Treatment for recurrence included nasopharyngectomy, neck dissection, and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights a significant incidence of NPC among the Bidayuh. Emphasis on screening and early detection is crucial for better outcomes, with lifelong follow-up recommended.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma among the Bidayuh of Sarawak, Malaysia: History and risk factors

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer of the epithelial cells lining the nasopharynx. The incidence of NPC has a distinct geographical distribution, mainly affecting the Chinese population of Southern China. In Malaysia, this cancer is exceptionally prevalent among males. There is a high incidence rate of NPC among the Bidayuh natives in Sarawak, Malaysia. Other than epidemiology reports, there has not been an article describing plausible cancer risk factors contributing to NPC within this native group. Researchers are still trying to understand the reasons the Bidayuh and Southern Chinese are highly susceptible to NPC. This article discusses the risk factors of developing NPC: Epstein-Barr virus infection, genetic predisposition, diet, environmental exposure and tobacco smoking. There is a need to improve the understanding of the role of risk factors to identify new ways to prevent cancer, especially among high-risk groups.

Apigenin inhibits C5a-induced proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through down-regulation of C5aR

Complement 5a (C5a) is able to induce the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. Therefore, an effective method or drug that can specifically inhibit C5a-induced proliferation of human NPC cells needs to be developed. Reportedly, Apigenin has antiproliferative effects on a variety of cancer cells. However, the effect of Apigenin on NPC cell proliferation and its underlying mechanism are still unclear. Herein, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Apigenin on C5a-induced proliferation of human NPC cells and its possible mechanism through down-regulation of C5aR. We revealed that Apigenin in vitro could not only inhibit proliferation of NPC cells and but also reduce the expression of C5aR and P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) as well as the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in NPC cells. Furthermore, Apigenin reduced the proliferation of human NPC cells triggered by C5a through negative regulation of C5aR/PCAF/STAT3 axis. These might provide a new insight into the function of Apigenin in cancer treatment, and also provide a potential strategy for treating human NPC through inhibition of C5aR expression on cancer cells.

C5a promotes the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through PCAF-mediated STAT3 acetylation

The anaphylatoxin C5a is a chemoattractant that can induce various inflammatory responses in vivo via the C5a receptor (C5aR). There is emerging evidence that C5a is generated in the cancer microenvironment. However, the role of C5a in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains largely unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the direct influence of C5a stimulation on the proliferation of human NPC cells and to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. The effects of C5a stimulation on the proliferation of human NPC cells were studied in vitro, and P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF)‑mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) acetylation and its role in regulating the proliferation of NPC cells was subsequently explored. Our results demonstrated that C5a stimulation increased the proliferation of human NPC cells in vitro. STAT3 acetylation was further found to be enhanced in human NPC cells induced by C5a. Moreover, PCAF induction was required for STAT3 acetylation in human NPC cells by exposure to C5a. Functionally, PCAF-mediated STAT3 acetylation contributed to the proliferation of human NPC cells stimulated by C5a. These results illustrate the novel activity of the C5a-C5aR axis that promotes human NPC cell proliferation through PCAF‑mediated STAT3 acetylation. This may provide a potential strategy for treating human NPC through inhibition of C5a or its receptors.