THE ABUNDANCE OF NM23-H1 MESSENGER-RNA IS RELATED WITH IN-SITU MICROENVIRONMENT AND INTRAHEPATIC METASTASIS IN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

In HCC specimens from 25 patients, the levels of nm23-H1 and H-ras mRN A were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR). Tumor microvessel density (MDV), the essential fac tor of microenvironment and proliferating cell nucleus antigen (PCNA), indexes as tumor cell proliferating in its microenvironment are also analyzed by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies against endot helial protein factor VIII related antigen (F8RA) and antibody PC-10. Results show that The MDV and PCNA index in the group with intrahepati c metastasis is remarkably higher than that in without one (p<0.01), b ut the abundance of nm23-H1 mRNA is opposite (p<0.01). The abundance o f K-ras mRNA shows little difference (p>0.05). MDV index shows directl y relationship with PCNA index (p<0.01), the abundance of nm23-H1 mRNA show an inverse one with PCNA index (p<0.05). We conclude that in HCC , tumor in situ microenvironment, especially a deteriorative one, play s an important selective role. The decline of nm23-H1 mRNA abundance i mplies the increase of highly potential metastatic cancer cells which adapt to their microenvironment.