Expression of metastasis suppressor gene nm23 in human hepatocellular carcinoma

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.