Objective　 To investigate the profile of telomerase and telomerase RNA expression in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis (NPC) induced by N,N'dinitrosopi perazine (DNP) and examined histolofically. Methods Nasopharyngeal carcinomas o f rats were induced by DNP and examined histologically. PCR-ELISA and nested R T -PCR were used to assay telomerase and telomerase RNA expression at different s tages in the nasopharyngeal tissues of rats. Results　 During the carcinogenesis p rocess, telomerase activity increased along with the formation of a nasopharynge al carcinoma. Telomerase expression was positively related with nasopharyngeal c arcinogenesis. Telomerase RNA expression was present and did not change during t he NPC process. Expression of telomease RNA was earlier than telomerase activat ion. Telomerase activation and telomerase RNA expressin were also detected in th e pre-cancerous nasopharyngeal lesions. Conclusion　 Telomerase activation may p articipate in the onset and progression of NPC, and is an early step in NPC.