We have examined nm23-H1 protein levels in human squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix by immunohistochemistry and correlated detectable nm23-H1 with patient survival. Normal cervical tissue samples were consistently strongly immunoreactive. In contrast, cervical carcinomas stained poorly, if at all. Well differentiated carcinomas stained more frequently for nm23-H1 protein than poorly or undifferentiated carcinomas. Our results clearly demonstrated a significant correlation between absence of nm23-H1 protein staining and shorter survival of patients with cervical cancer. Our results suggest that nm23 may serve as a potentially valuable prognostic marker for this type of tumor and to our knowledge is the first report of this kind for cervical carcinoma.