[Detection of neuroendocrine differentiation in NSCLC and its clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
To study differentiation of neuroendocrine (NE) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and its effect on the responsiveness to chemotherapy.


METHODS
Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A (CgA) and synaptophysin (SYN) were detected in 42 cases of NSCLC by using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopy was also used to observe the ultrastructure of NE granule in above specimens. The relationship between the chemotherapeutic responsiveness and the differentiation of NE in carcinoma tissues was evaluated.


RESULTS
(1) The positive rate of NE detected by Western blot is higher than that detected by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. (2) There is no relationship between the expression of NE and the type of lung carcinoma as well as the differentiated degree of carcinoma. (3) The positive rate of three markers detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods in the group of responsive to chemotherapy is higher than that in non-responsive group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high rate of NE differentiation in NSCLC, of which NSE's rate is highest, SYN takes second place, and CgA's rate is lowest. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot method are both very useful for the diagnosis of NE differentiation in NSCLC. The sensitivity of Western blot is higher than immunohistochemistry. The differentiation of NE may be one of the factors effected the chemotherapy in NSCLC.
Ouyang
N
N
Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Chen
G
G
Ding
J
J
D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000032:analysis
D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; D016708:Synaptophysin; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase