Desmocollin 3 (DSC 3) expression in different subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

e20513 Background: Currently, an active search is underway for additional markers that predict the risk of tumor progression based on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Desmocollin 3 (DSC 3), a member of the Cadherin superfamily and a cell adhesion marker, is one of the markers for this transition. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of DSC 3 as a prognostic factor in different subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: The study included 12 patients with squamous cell lung cancer and 8 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, aged 49 to 76 years. Immunohistochemical study was performed on sections from paraffin blocks of tumors using polyclonal rabbit antibodies to Desmocollin 3 (Invitrogen) at a dilution of 1:300 and the UltraVision Quanto Detection System HRP DAB. The expression of DSC 3 was semiquantitatively analyzed according to the percentage of cells and the intensity of staining: 0; 1+ (weak); 2+ (moderate); 3+ (high). Expression was considered positive if the score was ≥2. The Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson's χ² distribution, and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis of the results. Results: The predominance of patients with DSC3+ tumors was noted in the group with squamous cell carcinoma (64%), while the majority of patients with adenocarcinoma had DSC3- tumors (71%). However, Pearson's χ² was not statistically significant. Differences in DSC 3 expression values by 1.3 times were insignificant (p = 0.082): Me = 40 [0-80] in squamous cell carcinoma, Me = 30 [0-65] in adenocarcinoma. The correlation analysis between the expression of this marker and the survival rate of patients also had no statistical significance (rs = 0.061 for squamous cell carcinoma and rs = 0.196 for adenocarcinoma, p > 0.05). Conclusions: The immunohistochemical study revealed some specific features in the expression of DSC 3 in different subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer.