A study on the expression of HTRT gene in the tissues of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesion in the nasopharynx

Objective To investigate the expressive activity of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (HTRT)gene in the tissues of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and precanccrous lesion in the nasopharynx to explore its possible role in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal epithelia. Methods Immunohistochemical assay (LSAB procedure) was used to determine the expressive activity of HTRT protein in the tissues of normal nasopharyngeal mucosa, dysplasia nasopharyngeal mucosa and NPC. Results Negative expression of HTRT protein was seen in normal nasopharyngeal mucosa,while lower positive rate of expression of it was determined in the nasopharyngeal mucosa with dysplasia. In contrast, highly elevated expressive rate of HTRT protein was found in the tissue samples of NPC,but with no significant correlation of this activity with histological grading,clinical staging and lymph node metastasis. Conclusion The expression of HTRT gene may play an ymportant role in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal epithelia.