[Expression of ERK and nm23-H1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma and its relation with invasion and metastasis].

PURPOSE:To reveal the relations between expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nm23-H1 and tumor invasion and metastasis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). METHODS:The expression of ERK and nm23-H1 at protein level was examined in 74 cases of TSCC by strep avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical technique. SPSS10.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS:The expression of ERK was positively related to TNM clinical stage and cervical lymph node metastasis. The expression of nm23-H1 was negatively related to TNM clinical stage and cervical lymph node metastasis. The expression of ERK had a negative correlation with the expression of nm23-H1. TSCC cases with ERK(+)/nm23-H1(-) revealed significant higher tendency to cervical lymph node metastasis than those with ERK(-)/nm23-H1(+). CONCLUSION:The expression of ERK and nm23-H1 is correlated with invasion and cervical lymph node metastasis in TSCC.