Herbert Betke(1), Monika Korabiowska(1), Ulrich Brinck(1), Halina Trybus-Galuszka(3), Sieglinde Kellner(2), Krysztof Okon(3), Jerzy Stachura(3), Manfred Droese(1)

1) Department of Cytopathology,
2) Department of Medical Informatics, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany,
3) Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathomorphology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow

Abstract

The nm23 monoclonal antibody directed to specific antigen was applied for investigation of 29 benign naevi, 59 melanomas of different Clark level and locations, 4 lymph node and 28 organ metastases, using quantitative immunohistochemistry. The reduced expression of nm23 protein was associated with the tumor progression. A statistically significant difference (p=0.0014) was found in nm23 protein expression between naevi and malignant melanomas. Additionally, a reduced protein level in metastases was found. A strong correlation was found between nm23 expression and survival of patients as well as the presence of metastasis (p=0.0003).

Address for correspondence and reprint requests to:
M. Korabiowska M. D.,
Department of Cytopathology,
Robert Koch Str. 40, 37075 Goettingen, Germany,
Tel: 0049551398677.