title: [Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor and c-Met gene copies for prognostic evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-Met in the oncogenesis, development and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The relative copy numbers of EGFR and c-Met mRNA were detected in 61 cases of NSCLC by fluorescent RT-PCR, and the correlation between EGFR and c-Met as well as their correlation to the clinicopathological data of the patients were analyzed. A survival analysis was also performed in relation to EGFR and c-Met expressions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relative copy numbers of EGFR and c-Met were positively correlated (r=0.352, P=0.005). The levels of these two genes in smokers were 0.15 and 0.14, respectively, significantly higher than those in non-smokers (P<0.05); their levels were 0.16 and 0.14 in adenocarcinoma, respectively, significantly higher than those in squamous carcinomas (P<0.05). In patients with squamous carcinomas, a higher level of EGFR and c-Met DNA copies was associated with poorer prognosis, and Log Rank analysis indicated a survival difference in relation to EGFR and c-Met DNA copies (P=0.015, P=0.046).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGFR and c-Met may interact in a synergistic manner in the oncogenesis and development of NSCLC, and may help in the prognostic evaluation of squamous carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncological Radiotherapy, Xi an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi an 710061, China. ai2ting@126.com
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; C491743:MET protein, human; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met