Complement receptor 1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the association with clinicopathological features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE

Complement receptor 1 (CR1) is induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and may be a potential biomarker of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We conducted the present study to evaluate the association of CR1 expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis of NPC.

METHODS

We enrolled 145 NPC patients and 110 controls. Expression levels of CR1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected using quantitative real-time PCR and associations with clinicopathological features and prognosis were examined.

RESULTS

CR1 levels in the NPC group [3.54 (3.34, 3.79)] were slightly higher than those in the controls [3.33 (3.20, 3.47)] (P<0.001). Increased CR1 expression was associated with histology classification (type III vs. type II, P=0.002), advanced clinical stage (P=0.003), high T stage (P=0.017), and poor overall survival (HR, 4.89; 95% CI, 1.23-19.42; P=0.024). However, there were no statistically significant differences in CR1 expression among N or M stages.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that CR1 expression in PBMCs may be a new biomarker for prognosis of NPC and a potential therapeutic target.