Cancer Res Treat.  2004 Jun;36(3):167-172.

Expression of c-kit and p53 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancers

• Yoo J
• Kim CH
• Song SH
• Shim BY
• Jeong YJ
• Ahn MI
• Kim SW
• Cho DG
• Jo MS
• Cho KD
• Cho HJ
• Kim HK

Abstract

PURPOSE
Increasing experimental evidence indicates that abnormal expression of c-kit may be implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of solid tumors. It has been reported that over 70% of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) contain the c-kit receptor. In the present study, a c-kit analysis has been extended to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expressions of p53, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cd34, in addition to c-kit, were evaluated to investigate the correlations between these proteins and to determine their potential relationships with the clinicopathological data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tumor sections, obtained from 147 patients with NSCLC, were immunohistochemically investigated using anti-c-kit, anti- p53, anti-VEGF and anti-cd34 antibodies. RESULTS: c-kit was expressed in 40 (27%) of the tumors examined: 27% of the adenocarcinomas, 27% of the squamous cell carcinomas and 29% of the undifferentiated carcinomas. p53 and VEG F immunoreactivities were present in 107 (73%) and 110 (75%) carcinomas, respectively. Anti-cd34 was negative in all samples. No associations were established among these proteins. The c-kit, however, showed a strong correlation with the T factor: T1 (n=11), 0%; T2 (n=49), 16% and T3 (n=87), 37% (p=.006). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that in NSCLC c-kit is expressed relatively frequently and may become a therapeutic target for the patients with inoperable or recurrent c-kit positive tumors. The alterations in p53 probably constitute an early event, whereas the activated c-kit may contribute to tumor progression.

Keyword

Non-small cell lung cancer; Immunohistochemistry; c-kit; p53; Vascular endothelial growth factor; cd34

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Antibodies
Carcinoma
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Lung Neoplasms*
Lung*
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Antibodies
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Immunohistochemical positivity with the anti-c-kit antibody was detected along the cell-surface membrane and/or in the cytoplasm of the squamous cell carcinoma. ABC method (×200).

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  Fig. 2 Immunoreactivity with p53 was found in the nucleus of the squamous cell carcinoma. ABC method (×200).

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  Fig. 3 Dense cytoplasmic positivity with VEGF was observed in the large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. ABC method (×200).

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  Fig. 4 Kaplan-Meier estimates of patient survivals in cases of NSCLC (total n=147 patients) are presented according to age, gender, histological type, tumor extent, lymph node status, stage and the expressions of c-kit, p53 and VEGF.

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