The Relationship Between the Expression of nm23-H1 and Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Carcinoma

Objective To study the relationship between the expression of nm23-H1 and lymph node metastasis in colorectal carcinoma. Methods The expression of nm23-H1 gene product was examined immunohistochemically in resected colorectal carcinomas. Results In tumors with weak immunoreactivity againt nm23-H1，frequency of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than those with moderate or strong staining(P<0.05).With a sensitivity of 88.4% and specificity of 79.3%，low nm23-H1 immunoreactivity in primary tumor is an indicator of the presence of lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Immunohistochemical evaluation of nm23-H1 in the primary tumor is useful predictor of presence of lymph node metastasis in colorectal carcinomas and may have clinical significance in predicting optional therapetic regimes.