Objective      To investigate the serum levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1)

angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and their receptor

tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and epidermal growth factor homology domains Tie-2 in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).       Methods      A total of 68 patients (32 untreated cases

20 cases with complete remission and 16 recurrent cases) with pathologically identified NPC (all poor differentiated squamous cell carcinoma) who were hospitalized in our department from May 2009 to June 2010 were enrolled in this study. Their serum samples and samples from 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers (control group) were collected. The serum levels of Ang-1

Ang-2 and Tie-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).       Results      The serum levels of Ang-1

Ang-2 and Tie-2 in untreated and relapsed NPC groups were significantly increased than those in the complete remission group and normal control (P0.01). But no obvious difference was found in the 2 latter groups (P0.05). Only the levels of Ang-2 and Tie-2 were closely correlated with T and clinical stages (P0.05). The serum levels of Ang-2 and receptor Tie-2 tended to increase with the development of tumor. The serum level of Ang-2 was closely correlated with N stages (P0.05)

but not with T and clinical stages (P0.05). Serum levels of Ang-2 and receptor Tie-2 were significantly higher in tumor metastasis group than non-metastasis group (P0.01). Moreover

the ratio of Ang-1 to Ang-2 was higher in NPC patients at Ⅰ+Ⅱstages than those at Ⅲ+IVa stages (P0.01).       Conclusion      Ang-1

Ang-2 and receptor Tie-2 play important roles in the progress of NPC

and may be involved in the invasion and metastasis of the tumor.