Association between NM23-H1 gene expression and metastasis of human uveal melanoma in an animal model.

PURPOSE To evaluate the role of nm23 gene expression in the development of metastases of human uveal melanomas in an animal model. METHODS Seven human uveal melanoma cell lines and two murine skin melanoma cell lines were subjected to Northern blot analysis for the detection of nm23-H1 mRNA and to immuno-histochemistry to detect nm23 antigen. Each tumor cell line was transplanted intracamerally into nude mice, and the metastatic behavior was evaluated by histopathologic analysis of the livers and by determining host survival times. RESULTS There was a strong inverse correlation between the levels of nm23 mRNA expression and nm23 antigen expression and the development of metastases of all seven human uveal melanomas and both murine skin melanomas transplanted intracamerally. Host survival time also was correlated with the degree of nm23 gene expression. CONCLUSIONS The expression of nm23 mRNA and nm23 antigen in human uveal melanomas is correlated closely with reduced metastatic behavior in experimental animals and may serve as a sensitive prognostic indicator of malignancy and survival in patients with uveal melanomas.