DNA FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH OPERABLE NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CARCINOMA

Fresh surgical specimens of tumors from 60 patients with previously un treated non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) who underwent radical su rgery between January 1991 and October 1992 were investigated by means of flow-cytometry. The nuclear DNA measurement was carried out using a Facscan (Becton, Dickinson, USA). Analysis of the DNA content was pe rformed in all 60 patients whilst cell cycle analysis was possible in 41 cases (68.3%). Forty-two of the 60 cases (70%) were aneuploid and 1 8 (30%) were diploid. The overall mean value of DNA index was 1.5. Dip loid NSCLC were compared with aneuploid tumors: no significant differe nces in age distribution, sex ratio, histology and staging were found between the two groups (P > 0.05). An S-phase proportion of more than 10% was found in 30 out of 41 patients (73.2%). Early cancer deaths we re reported in four patients (6.6%): the aneuploidy rate was very clos e in these patients (75%) and in the remaining surviving patients (69. 6%). An S-phase proportion of more than 10% was found in 100% of early cancer deaths and in 70.2% of the remaining cases; such a difference seems of some importance although it was not statistically significant (P = 0.071). In conclusion, flow-cytometry studies seem to be a usefu l tool in the understanding of the biological behavior of patients wit h NSCLC. In the present prospective report there were no significant c orrelations between DNA measurements and clinical outcome, however, th ese results suggest that a high S-phase proportion should be seen as a possible prognostic indicator. It must be emphasized, however, that a longer follow-up and a completely standardized method are required be fore DNA measurements can be used with confidence as a basis for clini cal decision.