title: Prognostic Significance of N-Glycolyl GM3 Ganglioside Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Patients: New Evidences.
abstract: The prognostic role of N-glycolyl GM3 ganglioside (NeuGcGM3) expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) still remains controversial. In this study, the NeuGcGM3 expression was reevaluated using an increased number of NSCLC cases and the 14F7 Mab (a highly specific IgG1 raised against NeuGcGM3). An immunohistochemical score integrating the percentage of 14F7-positive cells and the intensity of reaction was applied to reassess the relationship between NeuGcGM3 expression, some clinicopathological features, and the overall survival (OS) of NSCLC patients. The double and the triple expression of NeuGcGM3 with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and/or its ligand, the epidermal growth factor (EGF), were also evaluated. NeuGcGM3 expression correlates with both S-Phase fraction (p = 0.006) and proliferation index (p = 0.000). Additionally, NeuGcGM3 expression was associated with a poor OS of patients in both univariate (p = 0.020) and multivariate (p = 0.010) analysis. Moreover, the double and/or the triple positivity of tumors to NeuGcGM3, EGFR, and/or EGF permitted us to identify phenotypes of NSCLC with a more aggressive biological behavior. Our results are in agreement with the negative prognostic significance of NeuGcGM3 expression in NSCLC patients. However, standardization of techniques to determine the expression of NeuGcGM3 in NSCLC as well as the implementation of a universal scoring system is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Recognition and Biological Activity Assays, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Rancés
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Quality Control, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.affiliation: Process Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Tissues Banking, National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, 29 and F Street, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, 10400 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Damián
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Tumor Immunology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Darel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Manuel Fajardo General Hospital, Zapata and D Street, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, 10400 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rengifo
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viada
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Recognition and Biological Activity Assays, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cedeño
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Recognition and Biological Activity Assays, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rengifo
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15th Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carr