Correlation of the Expression of nm23-H1/NDP Kinase A and CD44v8-10 with Head and Neck Cancer Metastasis

The expressions of nm23-H1/NDP kinase and CD44 genes which are associated with tumor proliferation and metastasis, in 10 cases of head and neck cancer were studied by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody H1-203 and CD44v8-10. And the relationship between the expressions of two genes and cancer metastasis was studied. Eight cases out of 10 head and neck cancers were squamous cell carcinomas. Normal skin epidermis and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin were used as control. The expression of nm23-H1/NDP kinase A was decreased generally in head and neck cancer comparing with normal epidermis, and more decreased in metastatic head and neck cancer. CD44v8-10 was shown strong expression in non-metastatic head and neck cancer but weak or no expression in metastatic head and neck cancer. With differentiation of tumor tissue, the expression of CD44v8-10 gene decreased. These results suggest that nm23-H1/NDP kinase and CD44 genes play a role as inhibitor to metastasis in head and neck cancer.