Serglycin expression: An independent marker of distant metastases in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a high propensity for metastasis. The purpose of this study was for us to determine whether serglycin expression can be used to predict distant metastases. METHODS Serglycin expression of tumor tissue of 112 patients with NPC was assessed based on percentage of tumor cells expressing serglycin, staining intensity, percentage of tumor-infiltrated lymphocyte (TIL) expressing serglycin and TIL-staining intensity. RESULTS Risk factors for distant metastases include sex, smoking status, tumor intensity, and TIL percentage for serglycin. The odds of distant metastases was 4.13 and 0.18 in patients with strong tumor intensity and >50% TIL percentage, respectively. Based on a nomogram incorporating predictors, patients were stratified into 2 prognostic groups. The proportion of distant metastases in the high-risk group (strong tumor intensity and ≤50% TIL percentage) was 78% versus 19% in the low risk group (p < .001). CONCLUSION Patients with NPC with tumors showing strong tumor intensity and low TIL percentage with serglycin may be at high risk for distant metastases.