[Significance of fucose expression in lung carcinoma and their brain metastases].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of fucose in brain metastases and their primary tumors.


METHODS
Affinity histochemistry method was used to detect the expression of fucose in lung carcinoma and their brain metastases of 39 cases with available survival data.


RESULTS
Of the 39 cases, 21 cases were positive for expression of fucose and 12 cases were negative both in the primary tumor and their metastases. 2 cases showed positive only in primary tumors and 4 cases only in metastatic tumors. The positive intensity (Dm) and percentage of the positive area (Sm) of fucose in brain metastases were stronger and higher than in their primary cancers (Dp, Sp), both were statistically significant (P = 0.0015 and P = 0.001 respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the percentage of the positive area of the primary tumor and the positive intensity of the brain metastases was the significant predictor of survival after manifestation of the brain metastasis (Tm).


CONCLUSIONS
Adenocarcinomas of the lung were prone to metastasize to the brain compared with other types of lung cancer. The Dm and Sm of fucose in brain metastasis was significantly stronger and higher than that of their primary tumor. The outcome of patients with brain metastasis could be predicated by Sp and Dm. Surgical resection of the primary lung cancer and their brain metastasis(es) resulted in better prognosis.
Huang
W
W
Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China.
Li
X
X
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D005643:Fucose / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005643:Fucose