Combined analysis of MIB-1 and thyroid transcription factor-1 predicts survival in non-small cell lung carcinomas

The prognostic value of combined immunohistochemical analysis for the thyro id transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) and the proliferation marker MIB-1 was as sessed in a consecutive series of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). T umor immunoreactivity for TTF-1 and MIB-1 was classified in three groups (- ,+,+ +) and in two groups (-,+), respectively. Comparison across groups for TTF-1 reactivity showed significantly different survival curves (P = 0.04) . In particular, the best prognosis was associated with a TTF-1 negative pa ttern, whereas the TTF-1 '++' cases showed the worst prognosis. A trend tow ards better prognosis was observed for MIB-1 negative cases (P = 0.09). Mul tivariate analysis confirmed independent prognostic significance of TTF-1 ( P = 0.002), MIB-1 (P = 0.01) and pStage (P = 0.04). Accordingly, analysing TTF-1 and MIB-1 together, a better prediction of survival was obtained (P = 0.02), with the poorest prognosis for the 'TTF-1++/MIB-1+' cases. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.