title: Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a marker of increased risk of recurrence in lung carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We explored the expression of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) in lung carcinomas and its association with clinico-pathological features and prognosis. FAS is a recently discovered molecule involved in the energy supply of normal cells. FAS is also overexpressed in neoplastic tissues because of their increased necessity for energy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and six patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma were followed-up for an average period of 5 years. FAS expression was detected immunohistochemically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FAS staining was observed in 61 out of 106 cases (57.54%). Statistical analysis revealed that FAS had an overall low prognostic value (p = 0.14), while FAS-negative expression in stage I patients showed a trend for better survival (p = 0.10). PTNM stage (p < 0.0001) was the only significant prognostic marker for overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FAS is a reliable marker of low-stage clinically aggressive lung carcinomas. The determination of FAS expression in lung carcinomas may stratify patients and determine therapeutic approaches for their care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Visca
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botti
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Diodoro
authors.forename: Roberto Pasquali
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Lasagni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brenna
authors.forename: Barbara Capezzone
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: De Joannon
authors.forename: Raffaele Perrone
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Donnorso
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Piero Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Alo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases