Expression of NEDD9 in Transbronchial Biopsies of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Lung cancer as the major cause of cancer mortality worldwide includes several histologic subtypes evolving from numerous genetic and epigenetic changes emerging in alveolar, bronchiolar and bronchial epithelium. Th e majority of cases are diagnosed in advanced stage (i.e. stages IIIB and IV), often with scanty amount of tissue in transbronchial biopsies or cytology specimens. Th e aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of the scaff olding protein neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 9 (NEDD9) in small biopsies of lung adenocarcinoma. The expression of NEDD9 was analyzed immunohistochemically in 71 formalin-fi xed and paraffin-embedded transbronchial biopsy specimens of primary lung adenocarcinoma. Nuclear and cytoplasmic NEDD9 expression was detected indicating activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. Direct relationship between the expression of NEDD9 and survival was not demonstrated.

Keywords

• Lung Neoplasms
• Adenocarcinoma
• Biopsy, Needle
• Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
• Croatia