Aim: Haptoglobin polymorphisms are associated with different cancers; however, the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in relation to haptoglobin polymorphisms has not been reported. In this study, the distribution of haptoglobin genotypes among patients with NPC was investigated and the prognostic significance of haptoglobin genotypes was further analyzed.
Material and methods: Haptoglobin genotypes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis. The genotypes were determined in the sera of 49 NPC patients and in 134 controls.
Results: The haptoglobin genotypes of patients with NPC were as follows: Hp 1-1, 2%; Hp 2-1, 39%; Hp 2-2, 59%. The frequency of the Hp 2-2 genotype was much higher in NPC patients than in control individuals (p=0.044). Furthermore, NPC patients with the Hp 2-2 genotype had advanced T stages (p=0.001) and larger primary tumor volumes (p=0.035) than those with Hp 2-1 or 1-1.
Conclusion: An increased frequency of the Hp 2-2 genotype was associated with NPC. The Hp 2 allele was also overexpressed in NPC patients. NPC patients with the Hp 2-2 genotype had advanced T stage and a larger primary tumor volume. Hp 2-2 may be a negative prognostic factor in NPC.