High expression of tenascin-C extra domains, markers of angiogenesis, in human lung cancer

Abstract

20051 Background: Tumor-associated extracellular matrix molecules are isoforms of proteins with a wide distribution in normal adult tissues, such as fibronectin and tenascin. Large Tenascin-C isoforms are present in almost all normal adult tissues but are upregulated in fetal, regenerating, and neoplastic tissues. In this study we investigated the expression of three tenascin isoforms in tumor tissue samples from lung cancer patients to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic value for clinical applications. Methods: In total, 35 corresponding tissue samples (tumor and normal lung tissue of the same patient) have been analyzed by immunohistochemistry using three different human monoclonal antibodies to domains A1 (F16), C (G11) and D (P12). All tumor specimens have been non-small cell lung cancer types. Results: Three isoforms G11, F16 and P12 have exhibited a very intense staining of all types of lung cancer. Almost all samples of squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas as well as large cell carcinomas have been positively stained. In contrast, none of the corresponding normal lung tissue specimens showed an expression of either tenascin domains. Conclusions: The results show that tenascin-C isoforms are highly expressed around the neovasculature and in the stroma of the majority of non-small cell lung cancers but is undetectable in the normal lung tissue. Therefore these isoforms could represent valuable candidates for the development of antibody based biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of lung cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.