[AP-2 expression and significance in the lung cancer tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the active protein-2 (AP-2) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the relationship between the expression and tumor biological characteristics.


METHODS
Fifty NSCLC tissues and 15 normal lung tissues were used to detect the expression of AP-2 transcription factor with the immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
The positive rate of AP-2 expression was zero in the normal lung tissues, but 32% in the NSCLC tissues. The AP-2 expression in the NSCLC tissues was significantly elevated (P < 0.05). The postive rate of AP-2 expression was significantly higher in the NSCLC tissues of pathological grade III (57.89%) than in those of grade I - II (16.13%) (P < 0.05), and higher in patients of clinical stage III - IV (44. 83%) than in those of stage I - II (14.29%) (P <0.01), and in the NSCLC patients with lymph node metastasis (40.54%) than in those without (7.7%) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The up-regulation of AP-2 expression in the NSCLC tissues suggests that AP-2 may be involved in the NSCLC carcinogenesis. AP-2 may play an important role in the genesis and development of NSCLC.
Zhou
Rui
R
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China. zhourui64@yahoo.com
Chen
Ping
P
Zhang
Guang-Sen
GS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2