[Expression of PKB protein in human squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of protein kinase B (PKB) in human-squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of lung (ADC) and in benign lung tissues (BD, lung tissues adjacent to cancer or from patients with benign lung diseases), and its association to clinicopathological characteristics.


METHODS
The PKB expression in 41 specimens from patients with SCC (26 cases) and ADC (15 cases) and in 12 specimens from patients with benign lung diseases (BD) were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.


RESULTS
PKB in benign lung tissues was usually weakly stained and scattered in distribution. It was remarkably increased in lung cancer compared to benign lung tissue. The positive rates of PKB in SCC and ADC were 50% (13/26), 60% (9/15), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them. PKB expression was significantly stronger in lung cancer patients in advanced stages (stage III or IV) or with poor differentiation, than those in early stages (stage I or II) or with moderate or well differentiation. The expression was stronger in patients with local lymph node metastasis than those without (P = 0.0391).


CONCLUSIONS
PKB protein is over-expressed in human squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung.
Liao
Yong-de
YD
Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. yliao@mails.tjmu.edu.cn
Long
Qing-hong
QH
Zhou
Sheng
S
Zhao
Jin-ping
JP
Huang
Qi
Q
Fu
Xiang-ning
XN
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016726:Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*
D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt