title: Molecular markers and changes of computed tomography appearance in lung adenocarcinoma with ground-glass opacity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of lung adenocarcinoma at early stage shows pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) and most cases of pure GGO remain stable during follow-up. There is no consensus on the strategy for follow-up. Identification of the molecular mechanisms that are associated with the natural history of lung adenocarcinoma should provide useful information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three lung adenocarcinomas that were followed-up for more than 6 months pre-operatively by HRCT were included in this study. Patterns of radiological changes during the follow-up period were classified into three groups; type 1, pure GGO without consolidation; type 2, appearance or increase in consolidation within pure GGO; type 3, consolidation without pure GGO. Mutational analysis of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and K-ras genes and immunohistochemical staining of p53 protein were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EGFR mutations were found in 17 cases (74%), and there was no K-ras mutation. Positive staining of p53 was found in 8 cases (35%). As for radiological findings during the follow-up period, the frequencies of EGFR mutations and positive p53 staining were 67 and 0% in type 1 (n = 9), 89 and 44% in type 2 (n = 9) and 60 and 80% in type 3 (n = 5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGFR mutations were frequently found in lung adenocarcinoma with GGO on HRCT in this study. Inactivation of p53 may be associated with the appearance of central consolidation within pure GGO on HRCT which reflects invasive features and may be useful as a molecular marker during the follow-up of pure GGO.
authors: Cancer Genomics Project, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
authors: Yukihiro
authors: Y
authors: Yoshida
authors: Akiko
authors: A
authors: Kokubu
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Suzuki
authors: Hidehiko
authors: H
authors: Kuribayashi
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Tsuta
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Matsuno
authors: Masahiko
authors: M
authors: Kusumoto
authors: Yae
authors: Y
authors: Kanai
authors: Hisao
authors: H
authors: Asamura
authors: Setsuo
authors: S
authors: Hirohashi
authors: Tatsuhiro
authors: T
authors: Shibata
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020868:Gene Silencing; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D066246:ErbB Receptors