Centrosome abnormalities in non-small cell lung cancer: correlations with DNA aneuploidy and expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins

Pathol Res Pract. 2007;203(12):839-47. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2007.08.004. Epub 2007 Oct 29.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate centrosome abnormalities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to assess their relationship with DNA aneuploidy, the expression of the cell cycle-associated proteins, and clinicopathological profiles. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 175 NSCLCs. We analyzed centrosome abnormalities and the expression of p16(INK4a), p53, and pRb using immunohistochemistry. Centrosome abnormalities were noted in 29% of the tumors and were even observed in the normal cells adjacent to the tumor. The frequency of DNA aneuploidy was significantly higher in the tumors containing centrosome abnormalities than in the tumors with a normal centrosome. p16(INK4a) expression and loss of pRb expression, but not p53 expression, were significantly associated with centrosome abnormalities. Clinically, centrosome abnormalities were not found to have any prognostic value for NSCLCs. These results suggest that centrosome abnormalities may be associated with inactive pRb-pathway and contribute to pulmonary carcinogenesis by the level of increasing chromosome instability.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aneuploidy*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Centrosome / pathology*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / metabolism
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / metabolism
  • Tissue Array Analysis
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Retinoblastoma Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53