Correlation of P38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Expression to Clinical Stage in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is uncommon and usually diagnosed at the advanced stage. A subfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinase which is called p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) involved in response to stress, and plays an important role in cell regulation. There is a suggestion that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase could be a potential biomarker to determine the clinical stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

AIM

The aim of this study is for observing and analysing the correlation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression in regards to nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient's clinical stage.

METHODS

This study involved 126 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients admitted to Haji Adam Malik General Hospital.

RESULTS

The result of this study indicates that nasopharyngeal carcinoma mostly found in the age group 41-60 years, male, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, and stage IV group. In immunohistochemistry evaluation, most of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase overexpressed in non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, T3-T4, N2-N3 and clinical stage III-IV. Spearman's test for categorical correlation yield p-value of < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, there is a significant correlation between p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression and the clinical stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.