Peripheral airway cell marker expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Association with distinct clinicopathologic features

• Published in: American journal of clinical pathology Vol. 97; no. 2; p. 233
• Main Authors: Linnoila, R I, Jensen, S M, Steinberg, S M, Mulshine, J L, Eggleston, J C, Gazdar, A F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-1992
• Subjects: Aging - physiology; Biomarkers; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - metabolism; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - mortality; Histocytochemistry - methods; Humans; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Lung - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - mortality; Proteins - metabolism; Proteolipids - metabolism; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; Pulmonary Surfactants - metabolism; Respiratory System - metabolism; Sensitivity and Specificity; Smoking; Staining and Labeling; Survival Analysis; Uteroglobin
• ISSN: 0002-9173
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/97.2.233

Paraffin sections of 247 primary and metastatic non-small cell lung carcinomas, the corresponding non-neoplastic lungs, and 75 other specimens were examined by immunohistochemical procedures using a panel of antibodies against the specific products of peripheral airway cells: the major surfactant-associated protein and 10-kD Clara cell protein. Non-small cell lung carcinoma tumors most frequently positive for either peripheral airway cell marker were adenocarcinomas (41%), especially those with papillolepidic growth pattern (56%), followed by large cell carcinomas (25%), other adenocarcinomas (22%), and squamous cell carcinomas (16%). Immunoreactivity was mainly focal and the expression of the two peripheral airway cell markers was discordant. The incidence of marker expression was similar in metastatic and primary non-small cell lung carcinoma. Other organs and their tumors were negative, with few exceptions. Non-small cell lung carcinomas positive for peripheral airway cell markers were associated with younger age and less-intense smoking, and surfactant-associated protein reactivity was more common in women than in men. Peripheral airway cell markers were independent prognostic factors for survival and delayed development of metastases in patients with less-advanced disease. It is concluded that surfactant-associated protein and 10-kD Clara cell protein are specific markers for non-small cell lung carcinoma and peripheral airway cell differentiation and provide useful tools to study the pathogenesis, biology, and prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma.