nm23-H1 protein expression in anal canal carcinoma: does it correlate with prognosis?
OBJECTIVE
Anatomic extent is not the sole axis of classification of tumors and of tumor patients relevant to treatment planning and estimation of prognosis. This results in the need to demonstrate an improvement in prognostic assessment and choice of therapy achieved by consideration of factors other than TNM. nm23 protein does prevent tumor from metastasizing and may also play a role in the control of growth and development. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of nm23 expression in human anal canal carcinoma and to evaluate its influence on the outcome of patients after surgery or radiochemotherapy.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients affected by anal canal carcinoma were evaluated. Each section was incubated with monoclonal antibody nm23 NDPK-A. Immunostaining was considered positive when at least 10% of the tumor cells were immunostained.


RESULTS
nm23 immunoreactivity was detected in 6/22 (27.3%) tumors. No significant association was found between nm23 expression and prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The mechanisms causing enhanced nm23-H1 expression in anal canal carcinoma are unknown. Although the level and expression were not correlated with prognosis, activation of nm23-H1 gene might be a prerequisite for oncogenesis in this type of tumor, while an alternate possibility is the modification of cellular characteristics in relation to proliferation and/or differentiation as a consequence of oncogenesis.
1st Department of Surgery, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
M
M
Indinnimeo
C
C
Cicchini
A
A
Stazi
E
E
Giarnieri
M R
MR
Limiti
C
C
Ghini
A
A
Vecchione
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D011379:Prognosis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016685:Mitomycin; C517938:NME1 protein, human; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D005472:Fluorouracil