Prognostic value of nm23 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Aim/Background: nm23 is suggested to represent a new class of metastasis suppressor genes. An inverse correlation between nm23 expression level and metastatic potential has been demonstrated in different malignancies. This study evaluated the prognostic value of nm23 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods: Immunohistochemical expression level of nm23 was studied in a total of 32 patients with localized GISTs. The relationship between the expression level of nm23 and patient outcome was investigated. Results: A tumor size of 10 cm or more and a mitotic rate of 10 or more per 50 high-power fields were not significantly associated with the metastasis risk (p=0.60 and 0.55, respectively). Tumors with high expression of nm23 tended to have significantly lower metastatic potential (p= 0.02). The median survival was significantly longer in patients with high expression of nm23 (p=0.007). Conclusion: These results suggest that expression level of nm23 may be considered as a prognostic predictor in GISTs. Future studies with larger patient numbers will be essential to confirm the prognostic significance of nm23 in patients with GIST.