[The expression of P16 and Rb proteins in 106 cases of lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the relationship between the expression of P16 and Rb proteins and the proliferation of lung cancer cells.


METHODS
The expressions of P16 and Rb proteins were measured in 66 cases of NSCLC and 40 cases of SCLC by means of immunohistochemistry technique.


RESULTS
The inverse correlation of Rb and P16 proteins expression was confirmed in 66 cases of NSCLC (chi 2 = 10.52, P < 0.01). No relationship between the expression of P16 and differentiation, stage, lymph node metastasis or pathological type was found (P > 0.05). There was no correlation between the expression of Rb and differentiation, stage, lymph node metastasis or pathological pattern (P > 0.05). The frequency of the loss of Rb protein expression in SCLC (78%) was significantly higher than in NSCLC (21%, chi 2 = 32.3, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Loss of Rb protein expression in SCLC may be an important marker of the diagnosis of SCLC. The expression of P16 adversely correlates with that of Rb. This study provides strong confirmation about that there might be a negative feedback between P16 and Rb in phase G1.
Qin
J
J
Thoracic Department, Tianjin Thoracic Hospital, Tianjin 300051, China.
Chen
G
G
Wang
X
X
D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein