Method of Detecting Malignancy of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and A Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Malignancy Biomarker

Abstract

A method of detecting malignancy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and a nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignancy biomarker are disclosed. Firstly, a specimen is obtained from a testee. Next, the specimen is tested for its MIP-3α expression level. Then, the MIP-3α expression level of the specimen is compared with that of a control. Finally, the malignancy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is determined according to a relative MIP-3α expression level between the specimen and the control.

1 . A nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignancy biomarker characterized in containing a macrophage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP-3α), wherein a relative MIP-3α expression level of a specimen of a testee and of at least one specimen of at least one control is used to evaluate malignancy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma of said testee. 
     
     
         2 . The nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignancy biomarker as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when said MIP-3α expression level of said specimen is overexpressed, said testee is determined to have said nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 
     
     
         3 . The nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignancy biomarker as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when said MIP-3α expression level of said specimen is overexpressed, said testee is determined to have metastasis of said nasopharyngeal carcinoma or have high probability of metastasis of said nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 
     
     
         4 . The nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignancy biomarker as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said MIP-3α and an epstein-barr virus DNA load are used as a two-marker panel for discriminating primary NPC patients. 
     
     
         5 . The nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignancy biomarker as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said MIP-3α and an EBA-viral capsid antigen IgA are used as a two-marker panel for discriminating primary NPC patients.