NM23-H1 GENE-EXPRESSION IN OVARIAN-TUMORS - A POTENTIAL TUMOR-MARKER

Ovarian carcinomas that have a distinctive natural history with early dissemination are particularly problematic. The aim of this immunohist ochemical study was to assess whether the nm23H1 gene product, which i n some tumors shows inverse association with metastatic potential, cou ld serve as a prognostic makrer for ovarian carcinomas. The study, bas ed on 73 benign and 54 malignant ovarian tumors, showed clear differen ces in the frequency of nm23-H1-positive samples, the intensity of sta ining and the histological localization of this protein. Differences w ere observed between normal ovary samples and benign lesions as well a s between benign tumors and ovarian carcinomas and were highly signifi cant. Furthermore, carcinomas that had detectable metastasis at the ti me of surgery were negative for nm23-H1 protein more frequently than t hose that did not. Although this is a prospective study in which colle ction of clinical data is ongoing, the results strongly suggest that n m23-H1 may serve as a potentially valuable marker for ovarian tumors.