Experimental Papers
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1996. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 15, 1996; 2(4): 218-219
Published online Dec 15, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.i4.218
Expression of metastasis suppressor gene nm23 in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Xiao-Dong Chen, Yi-Min Dai, Jia-Mei Yang, Jian-Zhong Bao, Jian-Jun Wang, Wen-Min Chong
Xiao-Dong Chen, Yi-Min Dai, Jian-Zhong Bao, Jian-Jun Wang, Department of Pathology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Jia-Mei Yang, Wen-Min Chong, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Changhai Hospital
Xiao-Dong Chen, male, was born on June 26, 1996 in Xin Min, Liaoning Province, and graduated from Second Military Medical University in 1989. As a lecturer, he has published three papers, mainly on the basic research of HCC
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 39370284.
Correspondence to: Dr. Yi-Min Dai, Professor, Department of Pathology, Second Military Medical University, Xiang Yin Road 800. Shanghai 200433, China
Received: July 22, 1996
Revised: August 8, 1996
Accepted: October 8, 1996
Published online: December 15, 1996
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the expression of nm23-Hi mRNA and the metastatic potential of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: The expression of nm23-H1 mRNA was detected in 24 cases of HCC by in situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labeled nm23-H1 antisense cRNA probe. Twenty-four HCC specimens were divided into two groups according to the following criteria: (1) metastasis in portal lymph nodes; (2) the number of tumors in the liver; (3) cancerous emboli in the portal vein; and (4) the existence of satellite lesions. We named those meeting criteria (1) or (2) and (3), or (3) and (4) high metastatic potential (n = 6); and the others formed the low metastatic potential group (n = 18).

RESULTS: Positive results of in situ hybridization showed granules or masses in the cytoplasm. In the low metastatic potential group strong staining was obtained in ten specimens, while in the high metastatic potential group there was none. Three negative results were found in the high metastatic potential group, and one in the low metastatic potential group (P < 0.05). The expression of nm23-H1 mRNA was not correlated with some clinical factors, such as tumor size or the background liver disease.

CONCLUSION: The expression of nm23-H1 mRNA is inversely correlated with HCC metastatic potential, and can be considered as an index which indicates the metastatic potential of HCC.

Keywords: Liver neoplasms, In situ hybridization, Neoplasms metastasis, RNA, Messenger