Differential Thymidylate Synthase Expression in Different Variants of Large-Cell Carcinoma of the Lung
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2009
Abstract:
PURPOSE:
In non-small cell lung cancer, higher thymidylate synthase (TS) levels have been reported in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with adenocarcinoma (ADC). Data on TS expression in large-cell carcinoma (LCC) are scanty.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:
TS mRNA and protein levels were analyzed in 42 surgical cases of pulmonary LCC, including 8 large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, and were compared with controls represented by ADC (n = 41), SCC (n = 30), and small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC; n = 33). TS levels were also correlated with the expression of Ki67 and E2F1. Moreover, the reliability of TS expression analysis was assessed in 22 matched cytologic and surgical specimens of non-small cell lung cancer.
RESULTS:
TS mRNA levels of LCC were comparable with those of control SCC, but significantly higher than those of ADC (P < 0.001) and lower than SCLC (P < 0.001). A correlation between TS mRNA and protein levels was observed in control ADC and SCC, but not in LCC. Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas had the highest TS expression, whereas in non-neuroendocrine LCCs, TS protein levels were significantly higher (P = 0.02) in LCC immunoreactive for p63 and desmocollin3 (markers of squamous differentiation) than those expressing TTF-1 (a marker of ADC). Both E2F1 and Ki67 levels were not correlated with TS in LCCs. Finally, a linear correlation in TS protein levels was observed between matched cytologic and surgical specimens.
CONCLUSION:
The pulmonary LCC immunoprofile may resemble that of SCCs or ADCs. This immunoprofile is associated with differential TS expression levels, which may support a more appropriate therapeutic strategy decision
Tipologia CRIS:
03A-Articolo su Rivista
Elenco autori:
Monica V; Scagliotti GV; Ceppi P; Righi L; Cambieri A; Lo Iacono M; Saviozzi S; Volante M; Novello S; Papotti M
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