Association of Overexpressed Gene with Altered and Genes Contributes to Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma Pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND

C-Myc is one of the major cellular oncogenes overexpressed in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Its deregulated expression is necessary but not sufficient for malignant transformation. We evaluated expression of gene in NSCLC patients and its association with alterations in the genes previously identified to be related to NSCLC pathogenesis, and .

METHODS

We analyzed gene expression by qRT-PCR in 30 NSCLC patients' samples and paired normal lung tissue. expression was further statistically evaluated in relation to histopathological parameters, and gene alterations and survival. Alterations in aforementioned genes were previously detected and identified based on AP-PCR profiles of paired normal and tumor DNA samples, selection of DNA bands with altered mobility in tumor samples and their characterization by the reamplification, cloning and sequencing.

RESULTS

expression was significantly increased in NSCLC samples and its overexpression significantly associated with squamous cell carcinoma subtype. Most importantly, overexpression significantly coincided with mutations in and genes, in group of all patients and in squamous cell carcinoma subtype. Moreover, patients with jointly overexpressed and altered or showed trend of shorter survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, is frequently overexpressed in NSCLC and it is associated with mutated gene, as well as mutated gene. These joint gene alterations could be considered as potential molecular markers of NSCLC and its specific subtypes.