Abstract A7: NOTCH 1 and NOTCH 3 expressions for early stage of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Abstract Backgrounds: Notch gene Encode 300kDa single-pass transmembrane receptors. It can variously serve as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor and a repressor or inducer of terminal differentiation. It also regulates cell division, differentiation and survival of stem and/or progenital cells in wide range tissues. We examined Notch 1 and 3 to study the correlation of Notch expression and prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays were constructed. We analyzed Notch 1 and 3 by immunohistochemical stain on surgical tumor specimens. Results: Results: One hundred fifty-nine of 185 resected tissues for lung cancer (median age 62 years) were available for immunohistochemical stain. The types of tumor histology were adenocarcinoma; 54, squamous cell carcinoma:79, others;26. 121 patients were taken lobectomy and 38 were done pneumonectomy. Notch 1 and 3 receptors were detected in 119 (74.8%) and 130 (81.7%) of total 159 (M:F=114:45) tumor tissues, respectively. Notch 1 receptors showed higher expressions on squamous cell carcinoma than non-squamous cell carcinoma (58.8% vs. 37.8%, p=0.03). However, it was not correlated with sex, smoking status or advanced stages. Five year-relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were 57.4 % and 59.3 % in 159 patients, respectively. Patients with any expression of Notch1 or 3 have correlated with neither RFS nor OS. 5 year OS for patients who showed Notch 3 expression were 62 % and the others were 47.8%, however, it was not statistically significant (p= 0.165). Both of their expressions were detected in 106 of 159 (66.7%) tumor tissues. Sixteen (10 %) had negative expressions in both of them. The patients with both positive expressions had the tendency of longer OS than both negative patients. Their 5 year OS were 60.8 % vs. 38.2% (p=0.068) and 5 year RFS were 56.5% vs. 49.7 % (p=0.35). Conclusions: Notch 1 showed higher expression on squamous cell carcinoma. Neither Notch 1 nor 3 have correlated with RFS or OS, but patients with both expressions had the tendency of longer overall survival.