The value of Raf-1 protein in predicting the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of Raf-1 and the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,and to estimate the value of Raf-1 in predicting the radiosensitivity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods The expressions of Raf-1 protein in 60 radiosensitive and 60 matched radioresistant patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were examined by immunohistochemical staining before radiotherapy.The correlation between the expression of Raf-1 and the effect of radiotherapy was analyzed.Results The expression rate(82% vs 22%)and the intensity of Raf-1 protein were significantly different between radiosensitive patients and radioresistant patients(P 0.01).The intensity and expression rate of Raf-1 protein were positively correlated with radioresistance(r = 0.600,r = 0.477,respectively,P 0.01).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of Raf-1 protein for predicting radioresistance of NPC were 82%,78%,80%,79%,81%,respectively.Conclusions The intensity and expression rate of Raf-1 protein were positively correlated with radioresistance of NPC,and may serve as a biomolecular marker with good availability and authenticity in preliminarily screening the internal sensitivity to radiotherapy in NPC..The individualized treatment should be executed according to the expression of Raf-1 in NPC tissues before radiotherapy.