TGFBI expression is an independent predictor of survival in adjuvant-treated lung squamous cell carcinoma patients.
BACKGROUND
Transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFBI) is a secreted protein that mediates cell anchoring to the extracellular matrix. This protein is downregulated in lung cancer, and when overexpressed, contributes to apoptotic cell death. Using a small series of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, we previously suggested the usefulness of TGFBI as a prognostic and predictive factor in chemotherapy-treated late-stage NSCLC. In order to validate and extend these results, we broaden the analysis and studied TGFBI expression in a large series of samples obtained from stage I-IV NSCLC patients.


METHODS
TGFBI expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 364 completely resected primary NSCLC samples: 242 adenocarcinomas (ADCs) and 122 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyse the association between TGFBI expression and survival.


RESULTS
High TGFBI levels were associated with longer overall survival (OS, P<0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS, P<0.001) in SCC patients who received adjuvant platinium-based chemotherapy. Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that high TGFBI expression is an independent predictor of better survival in patients (OS: P=0.030 and PFS: P=0.026).


CONCLUSIONS
TGFBI may be useful for the identification of a subset of NSCLC who may benefit from adjuvant therapy.
1] Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain [2] Department of Histology and Pathology, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain.
M J
MJ
Pajares
1] Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain [2] Department of Histology and Pathology, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain.
J
J
Agorreta
1] Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain [2] Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain.
E
E
Salvo
Department of Pathology and Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
C
C
Behrens
Department of Pathology and Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
I I
II
Wistuba
1] Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain [2] Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain.
L M
LM
Montuenga
1] Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain [2] Department of Pathology and Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
R
R
Pio
1] Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain [2] Department of Pathology and Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
A
A
Rouzaut
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000077192:Adenocarcinoma of Lung; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1