Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a marker of increased risk of recurrence in lung carcinoma.
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.
Visca
Paolo
P
Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
Sebastiani
Valeria
V
Botti
Claudio
C
Diodoro
Maria Grazia
MG
Lasagni
Roberto Pasquali
RP
Romagnoli
Francesca
F
Brenna
Alessia
A
De Joannon
Barbara Capezzone
BC
Donnorso
Raffaele Perrone
RP
Lombardi
Giuseppe
G
Alo
Piero Luigi
PL
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
D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases