DIFFERENTIATION MARKERS FOR LUNG-CANCER SUBTYPES - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THEIR EXPRESSION IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO

Cell lines representing the major sub-types of lung cancer have proved to be useful tools to study the molecular and cellular biology of the se malignancies, provided that they are well established and well char acterized. Antibodies directed against constituents of different cellu lar compartments can detect the type and degree of differentiation in lung cancer and derived cell lines. Antibodies can detect cell-surface adhesion molecules, such as NCAM, cadherins and integrins. NCAM antib odies are able to differentiate between small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-SCLC, both in cell lines and in tumours. In addition, a spectr um of other membrane proteins, expressed in solid tumours, such as epi dermal-growth-factor receptor and carcino-embryonic antigen, are retai ned in cell lines. Cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins appear t o be generally retained in lung-cancer cell lines, their combinations being the same as the solid SCLC, adenocarcinomas and squamous-cell ca rcinomas. Nuclear expression of lamins is comparable in tumours and in their corresponding cell lines and can be used to differentiate betwe en SCLC and non-SCLC: A-type lamins, which are present in non-SCLC, ar e absent in most SCLC. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.