The prediction of lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer by expression of the nucleoside diphosphate kinase/nm23-H1 and histopathological variables.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the risk of locoregional lymph node metastases from colorectal cancer, we compared microscopic pathological characteristics of the primary tumor with the expression of the nm23-H1 protein.


METHODS
The nm23-H1 expression of 100 colorectal carcinomas and corresponding non-neoplastic mucosa was analyzed immunohistochemically at the time of primary curative surgery (R0 resection). Conventional histopathological factors (depth of infiltration, grade of differentiation, invasion of lymph vessels or veins) that are proven indicators for metastatic involvement of locoregional lymph nodes were examined in all cases.


RESULTS
Of 45 tumors with lymph node metastases, 42 (93%) had a low nm23-H1 expression whereas only 35 (78%) were of high-risk histology (G3, G4, or lymphatic invasion). Therefore, nm23-H1 expression within the primary tumor indicated the lymph node status with a sensitivity of 93% and a negative predictive value of 92%. The classic pathohistological factors (high risk vs low risk) had a sensitivity of 78% and a negative predictive value of 77%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced expression of nm23-H1 within primary colorectal carcinomas could serve as an additional independent marker in estimating the nodal metastatic potential of these tumors.
Tannapfel
A
A
Institute of Pathology, University of Leipzig, Germany.
Katalinic
A
A
Köckerling
F
F
Wittekind
C
C
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012306:Risk; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D014157:Transcription Factors; C517938:NME1 protein, human; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins