nm23-H1 protein immunoreactivity in laryngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The nm23-H1 gene encodes a 17-kilodalton cytoplasmic and nuclear protein that has recently been shown to be reduced in a number of human carcinomas including breast, colorectal, lung, gallbladder, and biliary tract carcinomas. This study examines the immunohistochemical staining characteristics of the nm23-H1 protein in human laryngeal carcinomas and nonneoplastic laryngeal polyps, and attempts to determine if there is any relationship between reduction of nm23-H1 protein immunoreactivity and prognosis of patients with laryngeal carcinoma.


METHODS
Routine streptavidin-biotin immunohistochemistry with a polyclonal antibody was employed to study the expression of the nm23-H1 protein in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (N = 22) and nonneoplastic polyps (N = 8). The carcinomas were classified as well differentiated (N = 2), moderately differentiated (N =15), and poorly differentiated (N = 5). Tissues from metastatic tumor deposits in lymph nodes (N = 5) were also studied. A semiquantitative immunostaining index was derived from the intensity and extent of staining of the cells.


RESULTS
All laryngeal polyps showed intense immunostaining for the nm23-H1 gene product in the squamous epithelium. However, reduced immunoreactivity was found in nearly half of the SCC cases (N = 10; 46%), with the least staining intensity found in tumor metastases in lymph nodes (N = 4; 80%), and were associated with a shorter median survival of 14.3 months. In contrast, tumors that demonstrated moderate to strong nm23-H1 protein immunostaining were associated with a longer median survival period of 20.4 months.


CONCLUSIONS
There is reduced expression of the nm23-H1 gene in human laryngeal SCC compared with nonneoplastic laryngeal polyps. Reduction in the intensity and extent of nm23-H1 protein immunostaining appears to correspond to reduced duration of patients survival.
Lee
C S
CS
Division of Anatomical Pathology, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia.
Redshaw
A
A
Boag
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D011127:Polyps / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D014827:Vocal Cords
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C517938:NME1 protein, human; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins