Furthermore, we assessed the serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 in NPC patients and healthy control individuals and determined whether altered IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 levels were associated with clinical outcome to assess the potential value of IGF-1 or IGFBP-1 as a prognostic biomarker for NPC. The gene discussed is IGF1; the disease is nasopharyngeal carcinoma.