ABSTRACT
One hundred and eleven tissue samples of primary non small cell lung cancer obtained from patients undergoing radical surgery for resectable disease were investigated for the presence and distribution of Ki67 related antigen using an immunohistochemical technique, as a marker of the proliferative activity of the tumour. No correlation was seen between Ki67 expression and clinico-pathological variables (sex, age, histology, grading and pTNM stage) but disease-free survival was significantly lower in patients with higher Ki67 score (> 25% positive cells) at diagnosis (P < 0.03). Growth fraction evaluated by Ki67 labelling may provide a complementary prognostic parameter in non small cell lung cancer.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/immunology , Lung Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasm Proteins/analysis , Nuclear Proteins/analysis , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Female , Humans , Ki-67 Antigen , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , PrognosisABSTRACT
Cancer cells elaborate metalloproteinases which may play a role in invasion and metastasis. The serum level of the M(r) 72,000 type IV collagenase (MMP-2) was measured in 87 lung cancer patients. Stage IV cancer levels were significantly elevated (P less than 0.0001) compared to normal sera. A significant difference (P less than 0.01) was found between enzyme levels in the presence versus the absence of distant metastasis. For 29 patients treated with combination chemotherapy, a positive relationship was noted between response failure and elevated enzyme levels. Serum metalloproteinase levels may provide information relevant to prognosis as well as treatment decisions.
