Next, we evaluated the ability of three DEPs (RAN, SQSTM1, TRIM29) for predicting NPC metastasis, and found that panel of these three proteins could greatly distinguish metastatic NPC from non-metastatic NPC with high sensitivity and specificity, suggesting that the three proteins are potential biomarkers for early warning NPC metastasis. The gene discussed is SQSTM1; the disease is nasopharyngeal carcinoma.