By using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays of 137 cases, we evaluated the prognostic power of a 3-marker epithelial-mesenchymal transition–related model in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent radical surgical resection. The Twist/Slug/Foxc2 coexpression model accurately prognosticated these patients and may be helpful in refining current treatment strategy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.
Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Only about 60% of patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be cured by surgery alone. Current clinical and molecular markers are inadequate prognosticators. We developed a 3-marker model that closely approximates survival probability of patients with stage I NSCLC.
Methods: Expression of Twist, Slug, and Foxc2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays that contained paired tumor and peritumoral lung tissue from 137 patients who underwent surgical resection for stage I NSCLC. The prognostic value of Twist, Slug, and Foxc2, and the cumulative effects of the 3 markers on survival were evaluated.
Results: Increased expression of Twist, Slug, and Foxc2 was observed in 38.0%, 18.2%, and 27.7% of primary tumors, respectively. Overexpression of Twist, Slug, and Foxc2 in stage I NSCLC was associated with a worse overall survival (P = .001, P = .002, P < .001, respectively) and correlated with a shorter recurrence-free survival (P < .001, P = .001, P < .001 respectively). The cumulative influence of these markers on outcome was analyzed; a combination of more than 2 positive markers was an independent predictor of recurrence-free and overall survival (P = .002 and P = .009, respectively).
Conclusions: The Twist/Slug/Foxc2 model is useful in predicting survival of stage I NSCLC and may be helpful in refining current treatment strategy.
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