Clinical significance of nm23 gene expression in gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
The expression of the nm23 gene has been associated with the development of metastasis. Numerous studies have shown down-regulation of nm23 expression in metastatic breast and colon cancer. The expression of the putative metastasis-suppressor gene nm23 in gastric carcinoma is controversial. The aim of this study was the analysis of nm23 expression in a large series of gastric cancer patients.


METHODS
In a retrospective immunohistochemical study specimens obtained from 116 gastric cancer patients (mean age 64 years; range: 33-85) who had undergone gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy were analyzed. Nm23 expression in the tumor epithelium was studied by immunohistochemistry followed by a semi-quantitative (score 0-3) evaluation. Statistical analysis including Chi-square test, uni- and multivariate survival analyses were performed.


RESULTS
The nm23 staining pattern was positive (score 2-3) in 100 (86.2%) specimens and negative (score 0-1) in 16 (13.8%) samples. Lymph node metastasis was found in 65% of the patients. No significant correlations could be determined between nm23 expression and other variables such as gender, age, tumor differentiation, WHO-, Laurén-, Goseki-, or Ming-classification. The intensity of nm23 staining in the tumor cells was not significantly correlated with depth of tumor infiltration (T-stage), lymph node metastasis (N-stage), distant metastasis (M-stage), UICC-stage, or prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our series did not show a correlation of nm23 expression in terms of lymph node and distant metastasis or prognosis in gastric cancer patients.
Mönig
Stefan P
SP
Department of Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany. stefan.moenig@uk-koeln.de
Nolden
Brit
B
Lübke
Thomas
T
Pohl
Alexandra
A
Grass
Guido
G
Schneider
Paul M
PM
Dienes
Hans P
HP
Hölscher
Arnulf H
AH
Baldus
Stephan E
SE
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; C517938:NME1 protein, human; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase