Our data reveal that gain of function of TNFRSF19 in NPC represents a mechanism by which tumor cells evade the growth-inhibitory action of TGFβ.<b>Significance:</b><i>TNFRSF19</i>, a susceptibility gene for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other cancers, functions as a potent inhibitor of the TGFβ signaling pathway.<b>Graphical Abstract:</b> http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/13/3469/F1.large.jpg <i></i>.
Our results also provide support for associations reported from published NPC GWAS-rs6774494 (P = 1.5 × 10(-12); located in the MECOM gene region), rs9510787 (P = 5.0 × 10(-10); located in the TNFRSF19 gene region), and rs1412829/rs4977756/rs1063192 (P = 2.8 × 10(-8), P = 7.0 × 10(-7), and P = 8.4 × 10(-7), respectively; located in the CDKN2A/B gene region).
Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of NPC by highlighting the involvement of pathways related to TNFRSF19 and MDS1-EVI1 in addition to HLA molecules.