This study aimed to investigate the association of C-C chemokine receptor type 9 (CCR9) and C-C motif chemokine 25 (CCL25) expression levels with clinical and tumour–node–metastasis stage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

A total of 42 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (nasopharyngeal carcinoma group) and 18 patients with a normal nasopharynx (control group) were included in this study. Tissues were collected during surgery and medical examinations. The CCR9 and CCL25 messenger RNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis.

CCR9 and CCL25 messenger RNA and protein levels were significantly increased in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Both CCR9 and CCL25 messenger RNA and protein levels were significantly higher in advanced-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stages III and IV) patients compared with early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stages I and II) patients (p < 0.05).

The extent of CCR9 and CCL25 upregulation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma correlates with the tumour–node–metastasis stage.