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Diagnostic Pathology

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research

Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins and their clinical significance in lung adenocarcinoma

Authors: Yongli Shi, Hongyan Wu, Mingyi Zhang, Lei Ding, Fanqing Meng, Xiangshan Fan

Published in: Diagnostic Pathology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is defined as switching of polarized epithelial cells to a migratory fibroblastoid phenotype. EMT is known to be involved in the progression and metastasis of various cancers. The aim was to evaluate that whether EMT-related proteins' alterations are associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

The expression of EMT-related proteins including cytokeratin, E-cadherin, TTF-1, β-catenin, vimentin, Snail, Twist, CD44 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using a tissue array method in the lung adenocarcinoma tissues of 95 patients. In addition, clinicopathological characteristics and survival were compared with the expression of EMT-related proteins.

Results

Loss of epithelial proteins and/or acquisition of the expression of mesenchymal proteins were observed in lung adenocarcinoma. These proteins’ alteration was associated with poor cell differentiation and poor patients’ outcome, respectively. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the number of EMT-related proteins’ alteration. A higher number of EMT-related proteins’ alteration was found to be significantly associated with unfavorable outcome. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher number of EMT-related proteins’ alteration was independently associated with poor prognosis.

Conclusions

The number of EMT-related proteins’ alteration is a significant prognostic marker to predict overall survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. The information generated will be valuable for the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Virtual slides

The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1007838329872974

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Title: Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins and their clinical significance in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yongli Shi
Hongyan Wu
Mingyi Zhang
Lei Ding
Fanqing Meng
Xiangshan Fan
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Diagnostic Pathology / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1746-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1596-8-89

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins and their clinical significance in lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Virtual slides

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Virtual slides

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