NM23 expression as prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The current most important prognostic indicator in colorectal carcinoma is tumor stage at the moment of diagnosis. The role of NM23 gene as prognostic factor is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate NM23 expression.


METHODS
The study population included 104 unselected patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma between 1992 and 1997. NM23 expression was quantified by estimating the percentage of tumor cells with unequivocal reactivity. The percentage was scored: 0 when no tumor cells showed immunoreactivity; 1 when less than 10% of cells showed immunoreactivity; 2 when 11-50% of cells were positive; 3 when more than 51% of cells were positive.


RESULTS
Four cases belonged to group 0.21 to group 1.55 to group 2 and 24 to group 3.


CONCLUSIONS
NM23 cannot be considered an independent prognostic variable.
Forte
A
A
Department of Surgical Sciences and Applied Medical Technologies, Fourth Surgical Clinic, La Sapienza University, Rome.
D'Urso
A
A
Gallinaro
L S
LS
Lo Storto
G
G
Soda
G
G
Bosco
D
D
Bezzi
M
M
Vietri
F
F
Beltrami
V
V
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis*
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