uPA and nm23 expressions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues in relation to lymph node metastasis

Aim : To investigate expressions of uPA and nm23 and its correlationship to histological grading and lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods:The expressions of uPA and nm23 protein expression levels in 54 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were detected with immunohistochemistry SP method. Results: The positive rates of uPA and nm23 proteins in esophageal carcinoma were 66.7% and 35% ,uPA was positively related to infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis( P 0. 005) ; nm23 expression was negatively related to infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis( P 0.05). They had no relation to tumor size. The expression of uPA had a negative correlation with expression of nm23 (x2 = 6. 56 , P 0. 01 ) . Conclusion : The results suggest that uPA and nm23 expression levels were intimately correlated with infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis in esophageal carcinoma, and that determination of both uPA and nm23 are meaningful than determination of single one.