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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
Widespread expression of prostate apoptosis response-4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Jeng-Woei Lee1, Wei-Ting Hsiao, Kuei-Fang Lee
1Institute of Life Science, College of Life Science, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. jwlee@mail.tcu.edu.tw
Background:
Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) augments apoptosis in various tumors, either during apoptotic insult or by ectopic overexpression. However, investigation of Par-4 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is lacking.
Methods:
Specimens from patients with NPC, hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC), or oral cavity cancer were examined for Par-4 expression using immunohistochemistry. NPC cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining for Ki67, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and in situ terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated biotin-16-dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively.
Results:
Par-4 was ubiquitously expressed in NPC biopsies (96.2%, 25/26) and was significantly higher than in HPC (47.6%, 50/105, p < .0001) and oral cavity cancers (38.7%, 12/31, p < .0001). Remarkably, apoptosis of NPC cells was absent and Par-4 expression was associated with obvious expression of Bcl-2 and Ki67 in all patients tested with NPC.
Conclusions:
Immunohistochemistry results showed widespread expression of Par-4 in NPC and revealed sustainable proliferation of NPC cells regardless of Par-4 expression.
Insights
Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) but does not induce apoptosis. Instead, NPC cells show sustained proliferation despite Par-4 presence.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is known to induce apoptosis in various cancer types.
- Its expression and role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of Par-4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
- To analyze the correlation between Par-4 expression and NPC cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess Par-4 expression in NPC, hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC), and oral cavity cancer specimens.
- NPC cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated using Ki67 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) staining, and in situ terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated biotin-16-dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay.
Main Results:
- Par-4 was ubiquitously expressed in 96.2% of NPC biopsies, significantly higher than in HPC (47.6%) and oral cavity cancers (38.7%).
- NPC cells exhibited absent apoptosis and showed co-expression of Par-4 with Bcl-2 and Ki67, indicating sustained proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Widespread Par-4 expression was observed in NPC.
- NPC cells demonstrate sustainable proliferation irrespective of Par-4 expression levels.
