Prognostic Role of nm23 Gene Expression in Patients With Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

The aim of the study was to define the prognostic role of the metastasis suppressor gene, nm23, in 50 patients with primary ovarian cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens by the primary nm23 monoclonal antibody (Novocastra, NCL-nm23 clone 37.6). Forty-two specimens (84%) showed a positive nm23 staining. The nm23 staining was more intensive in patients with normal serum CA19.9 levels, patients with nonrecurrent disease, and alive patients (p < 0.05). Nm23 expression did not correlate with common clinicopathologic parameters such as histology, grade of differentiation, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and CA-125. Although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.11), we found that nm23 may have a favorable prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. To clarify this subject further, prospective studies on a larger population are needed.

Identification of ATF-3, caveolin-1, DLC-1, and NM23-H2 as putative antitumorigenic, progesterone-regulated genes for ovarian cancer cells by gene profiling

“…Mandai et al (1995) reported that OCa patients with metastatic lymph node involvement had lower NM23-H2 expression in their cancers than those with lymph node-negative disease. Tas et al (2002) found higher levels of NM23-H2 expression to be associated with better prognosis in OCa patients. We found underexpression of NM23-H2 in OVCA cell lines when compared to HOSE cell lines.…”

NM23 as a prognostic biomarker in ovarian serous carcinoma

“…This result contradicts previous reports of nm23 immunoexpression in ovarian mucinous tumors. 5 This discrepancy is likely due to the different interpretations and methods used in the studies. However, it should be noted that the immunohistochemistry of nm23 should be interpreted cautiously as positive staining is restricted only to strong, diffuse expression not to focal, diffuse weak staining.…”

Gene expression profiling of colon cancer by DNA microarrays and correlation with histoclinical parameters

“…Expression was higher in cancer samples and low expression was significantly associated with a shorter survival. Such prognostic correlation has been described in a variety of tumours including breast (Niu et al, 2002), ovarian (Tas et al, 2002), lung (Katakura et al, 2002) or gastric (Kodera et al, 1994) cancers as well as melanoma (McDermott et al, 2000). However, it remains controversial in CRC with positive (Indinnimeo et al, 1997;Berney et al, 1999;Dursun et al, 2002) and negative (Lindmark, 1996;Lee et al, 2001;Gunther et al, 2002) reports.…”