Expression and significance of WWOX、ErbB2 and Ki67 in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Objective To study the expression of WWOX, ErbB2 and Ki67 protein in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and the relationships with cell proliferation. Methods WWOX and ErbB2 protein expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 81 NSCLC patients (50 squamous cell carcinomas,31 adenocarcinomas and 20 adjacent normal lung tissues) and the correlations with histopathologic cell proliferation were analyzed. Results WWOX expression was absent/reduced in 72.8% of NSCLC, while it was normal in 80.0% of adjacent normal lung tissues. WWOX expression was strongly associated with tumor histology, histologic grade and lymph node metastasis ( X2 = 5.44, P = 0.019 ; X2 = 4.740, P = 0.029, X2 = 4.51, P = 0.034 ), reduced WWOX expression was higher in squamous cell carcinomas and in poorly differentiated tumors. The overexpression of ErbB2 was associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis ( X2 = 6.90, P = 0.009 ; X2= 5.68, P=0.017). WWOX expression was negatively related to the overexpression of ErbB2 (r=-0.239, P <0.05 ). WWOX expression intensity was nega-tively related to the high index of cell proliferation (r=-0.252, P<0.05 ). Conclusion The loss of WWOX ex-pression plays different roles in tumorigenesis of NSCLC and is related to high aggressiveness of tumors. The loss of WWOX expression and the overexpression of ErbB2 can estimate the prognosis of NSCLC. Key words: Non-small cells lung carcinoma; WWdomain-containing oxidore duetase protein; ErbB2 protein; Ki67