LncRNA expression-profiling to predict distant metastasis in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

LncRNAs can be used as prognostic biomarkers in various types of cancer. We aimed to identify a lncRNA expression pattern for individual distant metastatic risk assessment in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). Using Arraystar Human LncRNA Microarray, we profiled the lncRNA expression in tissues between 18 pairs of NPC patients and healthy controls, as well as 10 pairs of LA-NPC with or without distant metastasis after radical treatment to identify distant metastasis-related lncRNAs.