An Interaction Between ras-p21 and nm23 Influencing the ClinicalCourse of Gastric Carcinoma

Combined expressions of ras-p21 and nm23 and their correlation with clinicopathological factors were examined in patients with gastric carcinoma. These expressions were determined by immunohistochemical analysis of 60 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of carcinoma that were curatively resected. Distribution of ras-p21 and nm23 expressions differed according to the macroscopic type of tumor, and the mode of these expressions was prognostically related : nm23 expression singly affected the survival activity, and a combined expression of ras-p21 and nm23 induced a very short period of survival. These findings suggest that there is an interaction between ras-p21 and nm23,and that analysis of the mode of the combination is useful in predicting the clinical course of gastric carcinoma.