Given that the major function of SR-B1 is to mediate the selective transfer of cholesteryl ester from HDL molecules to cells, we hypothesized that the serum levels of HDL-C may increase the amount of influx transfer of cholesteryl ester to NPC cells expressing SR-B1, which, in turn, exerts biological effects on cancer cells and leads to differences in the clinical outcome of NPC patients. The gene discussed is SCARB1; the disease is cancer.