EXPRESSION OF GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASE (GST) SUBTYPES IN RESECTED LUNG-TUMORS - RELATIONSHIP TO HISTOLOGICAL TYPE AND PROLIFERATION INDEXES

Samples from 19 resected lung tumours have been analysed for the level s of GST alpha, mu and pi mRNA and protein. No significant survival di sadvantage was found for patients with tumours containing any of the G ST subtypes at the levels of either protein or mRNA. Both GST mu and G ST pi mRNAs were expressed at significantly higher levels in squamous carcinomas than adenocarcinomas but GST alpha mRNA was not. The signif icant increases in expression of mu and pi GST in squamous relative to adenocarcinomas of the lung is not related to differences in the prol iferation rates between these cancers.