Expression of p53, bcl-2 and nm23 Proteins in Squamous Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: The evaluation of lung cancer molecular profiles is an essential element of the therapeutic process in that type of neoplasm. The analysis of apoptotic and metastasis-linked proteins is an important goal because of the key role of those processes in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins p53 and bcl-2 as well as antimetastatic marker nm23 in squamous cell lung cancer, taking into account the clinical and pathological data. Material and Methods: Thirty tissue specimens from patients undergoing therapeutic or diagnostic thoracic surgery were included in the study. All markers were assessed with immunohistochemistry method on paraffin-embedded tissue. Results: Nm23 expression was observed less frequently in specimens with cancer cell emboli in blood vessels or lymph node metastasis. In cancers with lymph node metastasis, the coexpression of p53 and bcl-2 was found statistically more often than in lymph node negative cases. There was no correlation between p53, bcl-2 and nm23 expression and 2-years survival time. Conclusions: Our study indicates a marked heterogeneity of p53, bcl-2 and nm23 expression in squamous cell lung cancer and the potentially unfavorable influence of p53 and bcl-2 coexpression. Less frequent nm23 expression seems to be connected with morphological signs of metastatic process.