HOTTIP and neoplasm: Furthermore, the expression of HOTTIP was markedly elevated in NPC tissues with III + IV clinical stage, T3 + T4 local tumor invasion, and N2 + N3 lymph node status than those with I + II clinical stage, T1 + T2 local tumor invasion, and N0 + N1 lymph node status (all p < 0.05) (Fig. 3).