Relationship between allergic rhinitis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Although inflammation is known to increase the risk of cancer, the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between NPC and AR, as well as the alterations in CD80 and CD86 expression in NPC patients. A total of 187 NPC patients with corresponding clinical follow-up data and 420 control patients between January 2017 and January 2020 were included in the study. The incidence and risk of AR were compared between the 2 groups. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) was measured by immunoturbidimetry, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and T lymphocyte subsets (CD80, CD86) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Compared with the control group, the odds ratio for AR in the NPC group was 3.160 (95% confidence interval: 2.210-4.518). After adjusting for confounding factors such as geographic region and economic status, the odds ratio for previously diagnosed AR in the NPC group remained 3.185 (95% confidence interval: 2.296-4.501). Additionally, the expression levels of CD80, CD86, and IgE in the NPC group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while IFN-γ levels were lower, with all differences being statistically significant (P < .001). This study proves the correlation between NPC and past AR. We suggest that doctors and patients with AR should remember this potential risk for subsequent NPC development. The high expression levels of CD80 and CD86 in peripheral blood of NPC patients may be important reference indicators for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis evaluation of NPC.