Expression of Fragile Histidine Triad (FHIT) and WW-Domain Oxidoreductase Gene (WWOX) in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of FHIT and WWOX in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) and correlations with clinical pathologic features. mRNA expression of the FHIT and WWOX was assessedby real-time fluorescent relatively quantitative PCR in 61 NPC tissues and 45 non-cancerous nasopharyngealtissues. As a result, mRNA expression levels of both FHIT and WWOX were significantly lower in NPC patientsthan in control samples (P=0.049 and 0.045, respectively). Moreover, the mRNA expression of both had an inverserelation with larger invasive range (P=0.035 and 0.048, respectively), poor histologic differentiation (P=0.012 and0.016) and advanced clinical stage (P=0.026 and 0.038). Consistency was found between expression of FHIT andWWOX in the same NPC tissues (r=0.681, P=0.00). In conclusion, synergy between FHIT and WWOX may existin the development of NPC so that the two factors may be considered as important genetic markers. Detectingthe expression of FHIT and WWOX should provide clinically significant information relevatn to tumor diagnosis,progression and treatment modalities for NPC.