[Study on spontaneous apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the spontaneous apoptosis in human non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues, and the impact of PCNA and microvessel density on it.


METHODS
TDT in situ labeling and immunohistochemistry were used to display apoptotic cells, PCNA and microvessels.


RESULTS
The total forty-six cases of NSCLC were observed. Apoptosis index (AI) was 2.8% +/- 2.3% on average, and higher in squamous carcinomas (3.4% +/- 1.7%) than in adenocarcinomas (1.2% +/- 2.0%). AI in the poorly differentiated carcinomas (3.9% +/- 2.7%) was significantly higher than in the middle- and well-differentiated carcinomas (2.8% +/- 2.0%, 0.5% +/- 0.2% respectively). AI was higher in NSCLC with PCNA-positive cell rate >or= 25% (3.4% +/- 2.2%) than with PCAN-positive cell rate < 25% (1.9% +/- 2.2%). Microvessel density was higher in NSCLC with AI < 2% ( 74.4 +/- 29.6 counts/200 field) than with AI >or= 2% (42.0 +/- 12.8 counts/200 field). Apoptotic cells were frequently seen in the regions with less microvessels and distal to microvessels.


CONCLUSIONS
Spontaneous apoptotic cells mainly occur in the tissues of squamous carcinomas and poorly-differentiated carcinomas and NSCLC with higher PCNA-positive cell rates. Hypoxia could induce apoptosis of lung cancer cells.
Wang
Y
Y
Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Li
L
L
Tong
T
T
Zhang
X
X
Cheng
S
S
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen