PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EXPRESSION OF C-FOS, C-JUN AND C-ERBB-1 ONCOGENE PRODUCTS IN HUMAN SQUAMOUS-CELL LUNG CARCINOMAS

The expression of the oncogenes c-fos, c-jun, c-myc, c-erbB-1 and c-er bB-2 at the protein level was analyzed in squamous cell lung carcinoma s of 121 patients by means of immunohistochemistry. Patients with over expression of proteins encoded by the oncogenes c-fos, c-jun and c-erb B-1 had significantly shorter survival times than these without overex pression of these oncogene products (c-fos: p = 0.009; c-jun: p = 0.02 9; c-erbB-1: p = 0.018). No significant correlations were found betwee n the expression of c-myc and c-erbB-2 products and the survival of th e patients. In addition to the univariate analyses (Kaplan-Meier-estim ates) multivariate analyses (Cox-regression-model) revealed that prote in expression of the oncogenes c-fos, c-jun and c-erbB1 are significan t prognostic factors in addition to staging.