Correlation between nm23-N1 overexpression and clinicopathological variables in human anal canal carcinoma

To improve life expectancy prognostic factors other than TNM have been inve stigated. It is thought that nm23 protein may play a specific biological ro le in suppressing tumor metastasis. The purpose of this study was to elucid ate the clinical significance of nm23 expression in human anal canal carcin oma. Immunostaining using anti-nm23 monoclonal antibody was performed in 22 anal canal tumors. The results were correlated with clinicopathological va riables. Six cases out of 22 (27.3%) were nm23-positive. Significant associ ation was found between nm23-H1 expression and depth of invasion, lymph nod e involvement and prognosis (p<0.05). There was no significant association between nm23-H1 expression, histologic type and age of the patients. nm23-H 1 expression was not seen in our cases with metastasis and this may be rela ted to nm23 gene alterations not being detectable by the monoclonal antibod y used or to the presence of a subset of tumors in which nm23 gene abnormal ities had not yet occurred at the time of tumor excision or biopsy. Overexp ression of nm23-H1 protein in anal canal carcinoma may have implications fo r its metastatic potential. nm23-H1 expression would provide a more accurat e evaluation of outcome for individual patients and thus improve treatment planning.