Expression and clinical significance of nm23-H_1 and nm23-H_2 in human breast cancer

Purpose:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of nm23 H 1 and nm23 H 2 in human breast cancer. Methods:A semi quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression of nm23 H 1 and nm23 H 2 mRNA in thirty human breast cancer specimens. To evaluate the relationship between nm23 gene and breast cancer metastasis t test, F test and multivariate analysis were used.Results:The nm23 H 1 mRNA level in primary breast cancer tissue with lymph node positive was lower than that with lymph node negative. The nm23 H 1 mRNA level in breast cancer with Ⅰ,Ⅱstage was higher than that with Ⅲ stage. Lymph node metastasis was the only parameter that was significantly correlated with the nm23 H 1 expression. There was no significant relation between nm23 H 2 and tumor size, lymph node status, TNM stage, hormone receptor and menopausal status.Conclusions:nm23 H 1 mRNA show a significant inverse correlation with lymph node metastasis. nm23 H 1 appears to play a more important role than nm23 H 2 in breast cancer. nm23 H 1 mRNA expression may be a predictor of lymph node metastasis.