title: Immunocytochemical expression of a panel of markers in pleural effusions from patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study's principal objective was to evaluate the critical role of the application of immunocytochemistry to a novel panel of diagnostic markers for the accurate detection of the source of malignancies in pleural effusions of lung adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 40 effusion smears from lung adenocarcinoma, the expression of the E-cadherin, a-catenin, Thyroid Transcription Factor (TTF-1), Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), p53, caspase 9 and 3, Bax and Bcl-2 was examined by immunocytochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cases showed positive immunoreactivity of tumour cells to caspase 3 (42,5%), caspase 9 (40%), Bcl-2 (30%), Bax (40%), p53 (55%), E-cadherin (82,5%), a-catenin (80%), TTF-1 (87,5%) and EGFR (62,5%). The Pearson's x2analysis demonstrated a highly significant correlation to each of the other marker when analysed separately. Caspase 3 expression was correlated significantly with caspase 9 (p<0.0001), Bax (p=0.002), Bcl-2(p=0.014) and p53 (p=0.011). Caspase 9 was correlated with Bax (p=0.005) and p53 (p=0.047), p53 correlated with E-cadherin (p=0.011), a-catenin(p=0.011), EGFR (p<0.0001) and Bax (p=0.032). Correlation was also observed between Bcl-2 and Bax expression (p<0.0001), E-cadherin and a-catenin expression (p<0.0001) and a-catenin and TTF-1 expression (p=0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a panel of biomarkers can be of great value in determining effusion immunoprofile in patients with lung adenocarcinoma for clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, Greece. Electronic address: elhaini@otenet.gr.
authors.forename: Eleftheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chaini
authors.affiliation: 1st Pathology Laboratory, Cytology Unit, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Electronic address: annamariaathens@aim.com.
authors.forename: Anna-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Athanassiadou
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, 3rd Dpt. of Internal Medicine, "Sotiria" General Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Electronic address: a_bassias@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vassias
authors.affiliation: 1st Pathology Laboratory, Cytology Unit, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Electronic address: angelostsipis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsipis
authors.affiliation: Cytology Laboratory, Corfu General Hospital, Greece. Electronic address: mgonidi@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonidi
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department, Corfu General Hospital, Greece. Electronic address: hainisdk@otenet.gr.
authors.forename: Kyriakos D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hainis
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, 3rd Dpt. of Internal Medicine, "Sotiria" General Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Electronic address: dcharpidou@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Andrianni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charpidou
authors.affiliation: 1st Pathology Laboratory, Cytology Unit, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Electronic address: linaathens@aol.com.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Athanassiadou
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000077192:Adenocarcinoma of Lung; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Immunocytochemistry; Lung adenocarcinoma; Pleural effusions