ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR-RELATED PROTEIN P-29 IN PRIMARY NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CARCINOMA - PATHOLOGICAL AND PROGNOSTIC CORRELATIONS

BACKGROUND, Estrogen-dependent intracellular processes are important i n the growth regulation of normal tissue and may play a role in the re gulation of malignancies. Utilization of estrogen receptor assays in b reast carcinoma is well established, but the role of such evaluation i n other cancers largely is unknown. In this study, immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and the ER-related protein p29 w as correlated with survival of patients with nonsmall cell carcinoma o f the lung. METHODS, All patients with a tissue diagnosis of primary n onsmall cell bronchogenic carcinoma diagnosed over a B-year period at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont were reviewed. Assays for p29 a nd ER using a streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method were perform ed on each tumor. Results were correlated with clinical data, includin g survival. RESULTS, Of 111 tumors examined, 109 (98%) were positive f or p29 whereas none of the tumors reacted with ER (ER1D5). The relatio n between p29 expression and survival time was different for men and w omen. A statistically significant negative relation for women was obse rved; this relation was most pronounced in patients with Stage I and I I tumors. A positive but not statistically significant relation was ob served for men. CONCLUSIONS, The ER-related protein p29 commonly is ex pressed in nonsmall cell carcinomas of the lung. The relation between p29 and survival time is different for males and females, suggesting t he presence of gender specific factors that may influence tumor growth and overall patient survival, especially in patients with early stage lung carcinoma. (C) 1998 American Cancer Society.