Quantitation of biological tumor markers (p53, c-myc, Ki-67 and DNA ploidy) by multiparameter flow cytometry in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Abstract

Fifteen primary non-small-cell lung carcinomas (8 adenocarcinomas and 7 squamous-cell carcinomas) were analyzed by multiparameter flow cytometry for their expression of p53 and c-myc proteins. In addition, the fraction of cells staining with the proliferation-associated antibody Ki-67 and DNA ploidy was determined. These 4 biological markers were analyzed in parallel samples from a single-cell suspension made from fresh, frozen biopsies. Thus, the internal relationship between these markers within each tumor-cell population was established. Three different anti-p53 antibodies were used: PAb 421, PAb 1801 and PAb 240. All 15 tumors were p53-positive with the antibodies PAb 1801 and PAb 240, whereas only 9 were positive as judged by the antibody PAb 421. This indicates that the choice of p53 antibody is not irrelevant. Ten tumors were c-myc-positive; 7 of these were adenocarcinomas. The c-myc-positive tumors had a significantly higher level of p53 expression, judged by PAb 1801 and PAb 240, than c-myc-negative tumors. For PAb 421, there was no difference. We did not find any correlation between Ki-67 staining and expression of p53 and c-myc proteins, either with DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction or histological type. Our study indicates that there might be an association between accumulation of p53 protein and c-myc over-expression in non-small-cell lung cancer, and that this in particular might apply to adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, we show that multiparameter flow cytometry is a powerful tool in the study of the relationship between different markers in a cell population.

• Authors: O Mørkve, O J Halvorsen, L Stangeland, A Gulsvik, O D Laerum
• Journal: International journal of cancer (Int J Cancer) Vol. 52 Issue 6 Pg. 851-5 (Dec 02 1992) ISSN: 0020-7136 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1334053 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• DNA, Neoplasm
• Ki-67 Antigen
• Neoplasm Proteins
• Nuclear Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (genetics)
• DNA, Neoplasm (genetics)
• Flow Cytometry (methods)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Ki-67 Antigen
• Lasers
• Lung Neoplasms (genetics)
• Neoplasm Proteins (analysis)
• Nuclear Proteins (analysis)
• Ploidies
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc (analysis)
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (analysis)