Table 2 Multivariable analysis of prognostic factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (AKR1C4 included)

LRFS

AKR1C4 expression (high vs. low)

3.670 (1.462–9.215)

0.006

T stage (4 vs. 1/2/3)

4.970 (0.600–41.201)

0.137

N stage (2/3 vs. 0/1)

1.157 (0.465–2.878)

0.754

Disease stage (IVa vs. I/II/III)

0.477 (0.057–4.016)

0.496

EBV DNA (≥ 4000 vs. < 4000) copies/ml

1.834 (0.741–4.539)

0.190

BMI (≥ 18.5 vs. < 18.5 kg/m²)

0.411 (0.087–1.942)

0.262

Smoking history (yes vs. no)

2.024 (0.877–4.670)

0.098

OS

AKR1C4 expression (high vs. low)

1.605 (0.803–3.207)

0.181

T stage (4 vs. 1/2/3)

3.477 (1.127–10.729)

0.030

N stage (2/3 vs. 0/1)

3.548 (1.593–7.900)

0.002

Disease stage (IVa vs. I/II/III)

0.744 (0.232–2.386)

0.619

EBV DNA (≥ 4000 vs. < 4000) copies/ml

2.194 (1.068–4.508)

0.032

BMI (≥ 18.5 vs. < 18.5 kg/m²)

0.385 (0.148–1.007)

0.052

Smoking history (yes vs. no)

1.616 (0.832–3.138)

0.157

PFS

AKR1C4 expression (high vs. low)

1.576 (0.918–2.705)

0.099

T stage (4 vs. 1/2/3)

2.680 (1.120–6.408)

0.027

N stage (2/3 vs. 0/1)

2.302 (1.268–4.180)

0.006

Disease stage (IVa vs. I/II/III)

0.918 (0.377–2.234)

0.850

EBV DNA (≥ 4000 vs. < 4000) copies/ml

2.282 (1.293–4.030)

0.004

BMI (≥ 18.5 vs. < 18.5 kg/m²)

0.537 (0.230–1.254)

0.151

Smoking history (yes vs. no)

1.718 (1.027–2.875)

0.039

DMFS

AKR1C4 expression (high vs. low)

1.045 (0.539–2.026)

0.897

T stage (4 vs. 1/2/3)

2.272 (0.915–5.642)

0.077

N stage (2/3 vs. 0/1)

3.541 (1.598–7.845)

0.002

Disease stage (IVa vs. I/II/III)

1.193 (0.462–3.084)

0.715

EBV DNA (≥ 4000 vs. < 4000) copies/ml

3.012 (1.478–6.139)

0.002

BMI (≥ 18.5 vs. < 18.5 kg/m²)

0.458 (0.190–1.105)

0.082

Smoking history (yes vs. no)

1.619 (0.873–3.002)

0.126