Objective: To investigate the possible pathogenetic role of cytokeratin 13 (CK13) gene expression in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
Methods: Tissue samples taken from a total of 40 cases of NPC and 8 cases of chronic inflammation of nasopharyngeal epithelium (CINE) were immunohistochemically studied for CK13 protein expression. Northern blot hybridization was used to detect CK13 gene at mRNA level in 32 of the 40 NPC and in 8 CINE cases. Correlations of CK13 expression with the clinical features of NPC were also investigated.
Results: Significantly stronger immunoreactivity for CK13 protein was shown in CINE than in NPC tissues (P < 0.01), so did it at mRNA levels. Significantly higher CK13 expression was demonstrated in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis, as compared to those without (P < 0.05). However, no significant correlation between CK13 expression and clinical staging of the disease.
Conclusion: The decreased expression of CK13 in NPC suggests that differentiation disturbance of the nasopharyngeal epithelium might play a role in the pathogenesis of NPC.