Tas Faruk, Tuzlali Sitki, Aydiner Adnan, Saip Pinar, Salihoglu Yavuz, Iplikci Altan, Topuz Erkan
Institute of Oncology, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.
Am J Clin Oncol. 2002 Apr;25(2):164-7. doi: 10.1097/00000421-200204000-00012.
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.
