The Clinical Significance of β-arrestin 2 Expression in the Serum of 
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background and objective Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with high morbidity and mortality is the most common types of lung cancer. beta-arrestin 2 is a kind of soluble protein regulating signal transduction mediated by G protein coupling receptor. The aim of this research is to evaluate the clinical significance of β-arrestin 2 expression in the serum of NSCLC patients. Methods The clinical and follow-up data of 20 healthy candidates and 67 patients diagnosed with NSCLC in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2005 to December 2006 was retrospectively analyzed. ELISA was applied to detect the expression of beta-arrestin 2. Results The serum level of β-arrestin 2 in NSCLC patients were all significally lower than those in healthy controls (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001). The serum level of β-arrestin 2 in stage I NSCLC patients were higher than those in stage III as well as in stage IV (P<0.001, P<0.001). No statistical difference of β-arrestin 2’ serum level was found between with stage III and stage IV patients (P=0.273). Univariate prognostic factor analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method indicated patients’ prognosis with high serum level of β-arrestin 2 was better than patients with low and middle (P<0.001, P<0.001). The serum level of β-arrestin 2 and the stage of NSCLC signally affected prognosis in COX regression model (P=0.003, P=0.004). Conclusion The serum level of β-arrestin 2 had significant difffrence between NSCLC patients and healthy controls, likewise between the early and advanced NSCLC patients. The serum level of β-arrestin 2 affected NSCLC patients’ prognosis.

Keywords

• β-arrestin 2
• Lung neoplasms
• Prognostic factors