Clinical value of nm23-H1 and survivin protein expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the correlationship between the expression of nm23-H1, survivin protein and the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: One hundred and fifteen biopsies were taken to test the expression of nm23-H1 and survivin protein by immunohistochemical method. The relationship between the expression of nm23-H1, survivin protein and the NPC stage, radiosensitivity of tumor, survival rate, relapse and metastasis rates were analyzed. Results: The expression rates of nm23-H1 and survivin were 47.8% and 68. 7 %, respectively. The clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, low survival rate and high distant metastatic rate were correlated with low level expression of nm23-H1 protein. The high level expression of survivin protein predicted lymph node metastasis, low radiosensitivity and survival and probability of recurrence. The expression of nm23-H1 protein was negatively correlated with the expression of survivin protein (P<0.05). Conclusion: The low level expression of nm23-H1 protein and the high level expression of survivin protein may play an important role in pre- dieting the NPC prognosis, radiosensitivity observed in the treatment, survival and recurrence rates. (authors)