Objective: To explore the expression of nm23-H1 mRNA and its protein in breast cancer and its correlation to the biologic behavior.
Methods: RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method were employed to detect the expression of nm23-H1 mRNA and its protein in 58 breast cancer tissues.
Results: Low level expression of nm23-H1 mRNA and protein was shown in 44.8% and 48.2% of examined cases respectively. The low expression of nm23-H1 mRNA was correlated, but not always parallel to the protein expression. The low level expression of nm23-H1 mRNA or the protein was significantly associated with lymphatic metastasis of the cancer.
Conclusion: Examination of nm23-H1 expression may be of significance in evaluating metastatic potentiality and prognosis of breast cancer.