NM23 gene expression in human prostatic carcinomas and benign prostatic hyperplasias: altered expression in combined androgen blockaded carcinomas.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether NM23 (nm23-H1, nm23-H2), a metastasis suppressor gene family, is a molecular marker indicative of metastatic potential of localized carcinoma of the prostate (CaP). Previously, we found decreased nm23-H2 expression correlated with an increase in stage, and here we have expanded the cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty prostate tissue samples from patients with CaP and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were examined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for NM23 gene expression. Samples were grouped according to stage, grade and whether the patient received combined androgen blockade (CAB) prior to surgery.

RESULTS

We could not confirm our initial results of an inverse correlation of nm23-H2 expression levels with grade. However, two significant results were found after CAB: 1) nm23-H1 expression was reduced (p = 0.003), and 2) nm23-H2 expression across stage and grade was uniformly higher (p = 0.003) than in untreated samples.

CONCLUSION

NM23 appears not to be a useful molecular marker of metastatic potential in CaP. The altered gene expression after CAB may relate to a cancer cell subpopulation insensitive to apoptosis induced by hormone withdrawal.