Expression of metallothionein-III in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Currently, there is little knowledge concerning expression of metallothionein-III (MT-III), also known as growth-inhibitory factor, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this study, we evaluated MT-III expression in 184 patients using immunohistochemistry and in 61 cases using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

MT-III mRNA expression was significantly higher in NSCLC as compared to non-malignant lung tissues (NMLT; p<0.0086). MT-III expression was noted in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cancer cells. Significantly lower nuclear MT-III (p<0.0001) expression and significantly higher cytoplasmic MT-III (p=0.0068) expression was noted in the pneumocytes of NMLT, as compared to NSCLC. Nuclear MT-III expression was significantly higher in G1 cases as compared to G2 (p=0.0308) and G3 (p=0.0194) cases. Low cytoplasmic MT-III expression was associated with larger primary tumour size (p=0.0378). Lower MT-III mRNA and cytoplasmic MT-III expression was associated with poor patient outcome (p=0.0410 and p=0.0347, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

MT-III expression may have an impact on the pathogenesis of NSCLC.

• Authors: Bozena Werynska, Bartosz Pula, Beata Muszczynska-Bernhard, Agnieszka Gomulkiewicz, Aleksandra Jethon, Marzena Podhorska-Okolow, Renata Jankowska, Piotr Dziegiel
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 33 Issue 3 Pg. 965-74 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 23482768 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Metallothionein 3
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• RNA, Messenger

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (etiology, metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Nucleus (chemistry)
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lung Neoplasms (etiology, metabolism, pathology)
• Male
• Metallothionein 3
• Middle Aged
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (analysis, genetics, physiology)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)