Notch 1 and Notch 3 and prognosis of resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

e21089 Background: Notch receptors play a role in development and maintenance of normal tissue by decision of the fate of the cell. The four mammalian Notch genes (Notch1-4) encode 300kDa single-pass transmembrane receptors. Notch can variously serve as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor, a repressor or inducer of terminal differentiation, and perhaps a cancer stem cell factor in specific contexts. Oncogenic Notch signaling is found in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL), prostate, ovarian cancer, melanoma and breast cancer. The Notch pathway in cancer is close association with differentiation gone away. It is not clear whether Notchs play a role in pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer. We examined Notch 1 and 3 to study the correlation of Notch expression and prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: We analyzed Notch 1 and 3 by immunohistochemical stain on surgical tumor specimens. Results: One hundred fifty-nine of 185 resected tissues for lung cancer (median age 62 years) were available for immunohistochemical stain. 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 (81% vs. 67%, p=0.044). However, it was not correlated with sex, smoking status or advanced stages. Notch 3 was not associated with those clinical factors. Three year-overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS) were 66 % and 60 % in all patients, respectively. Patients with any expression of Notch1 or 3 have correlated with neither RFS nor OS. 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 all negative patients. Their 3 year OS were 66.3 % vs. 45.8% (p=0.068) and 3 year RFS were 60.7% vs. 49.7 % (p=0.350). 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. No significant financial relationships to disclose.