nm23-H1 protein expression in anal canal carcinoma: Does it correlate withprognosis?

Background and Objectives: Anatomic extent is not the sole axis of classifi cation of tumors and of tumor patients relevant to treatment planning and e stimation of prognosis. This results in the need to demonstrate an improvem ent in prognostic assessment and choice of therapy achieved by consideratio n of factors other than TNM. nm23 protein does prevent tumor from metastasi zing and may also play a role in the control of growth and development. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of nm23 e xpression in human anal canal carcinoma and to evaluate its influence on th e outcome of patients after surgery or radiochemotherapy. Methods: Twenty-two patients affected by anal canal carcinoma were evaluate d. Each section was incubated with monoclonal antibody nm23 NDPK-A. Immunos taining was considered positive when at least 10% of the tumor cells were i mmunostained. Results: nm23 immunoreactivity was detected in 6/22 (27.3%) tumors. No sign ificant association was found between nm23 expression and prognosis. Conclusions: The mechanisms causing enhanced nm23-H1 expression in anal can al carcinoma are unknown. Although the level and expression were not correl ated with prognosis, activation of nm23-H1 gene might be a prerequisite for oncogenesis in this type of tumor, while an alternate possibility is the m odification of cellular characteristics in relation to proliferation and/or differentiation as a consequence of oncogenesis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2000;74:1 63-166. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.