Prognostic significance of expression of nm23-H1 and focal adhesion kinase in non-small cell lung cancer

Nan Yung Hsu, Chih Yi Chen, Chung Ping Hsu, Tze Yi Lin, Ming Chih Chou, Shiow Her Chiou, Kuan Chih Chow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

nm23-H1, a nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK), enhances drug sensitivity and has antimetastatic activity, whereas focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is closely associated with cell migration and tumour spreading. The relationshipbetween these two proteins, however, is not well elucidated. In this study, we investigate their correlation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expressions of nm23-H1 and FAK were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting in surgical resections. The relationship between these two genes was assessed statistically. Patients were classified into four groups according to the expression of nm23-H1 and FAK by immunohistochemistry: FAK-negative/nm23-H1-positive, FAK-negative/nm23-H1-negative, FAK-positive/nm23-H1-positive and FAK-positive/nm23-H1-negative. Although the causal correlation is still uncertain, our results showed that protein expression of nm23-H1 was inversely correlated with that of FAK. The combined analysis of nm23-H1 and FAK protein expression in the same tumour specimens revealed thatpatients with FAK-negative/nm23-H1-postive tumours survived the longest, 56 months, among those with nm23-H1 and FAK features (P<0.001). Our data indicate that expressions of nm23-H1 and FAK are inversely correlated. These resultssuggest that the status of nm23-H1 and FAK protein expression may help in predicting the aggressive behavior of NSCLC. However, further studies are warranted to clarify the impact of FAK on the function of nm23-H1 as an antimetastatic gene.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)81-85
Number of pages5
JournalOncology Reports
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antimetastatic
  • Cell migration
  • Non-small cell lung cancer
  • Prognosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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