[nm23 gene product/NDPK expression and its clinical significance in human colorectal carcinoma].

The expression of nm23 gene product/NDPK was examined immunohistochemically in resected human colorectal carcinomas using anti-NDPK polyclonal antibody. Of the 103 carcinomas tested, 76.7% (79 cases) showed positive staining of nm23/NDPK in the primary lesions. In patients without regional lymph node metastasis, the positive staining rate (90.5%, 38/42) was significantly higher than that in those with nodal involvement (67.2%, 41/61). Inverse relationships were found between nm23/NDPK expression and tumor invasion or the progression of Dukes' staging. Expression of NDPK was positively associated with longer post-operative survival and the relationship was significant. Therefore, our data indicated that nm23 gene plays an important role in lymph node metastasis and invasion in colorectal carcinomas. The expression of nm23 gene product/NDPK may be a useful tool for prognosis of human colorectal carcinomas.