QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF THE EXPRESSION OF LUNG RESISTANCE-RELATED PROTEIN IN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Objective To study the expression of lung resistance-related protein(LRP) in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and its clinical significance. Methods NSCLC specimens(n=72) were examined by the combined techniques of tissue chip and immunohistochemistry.The expression of LRP was quantitatively assessed by computer image analysis system.Chemotherapy was not performed in all cases before surgery. Results Expression of LRP was found mainly in the cytoplasm of NSCLC,few in cellular membrane.The total positive rate of LRP expression was 77.78%.The intensity of LRP immuno-staining was related to the tissue type and differentiation of the cancer.The average density and accumulated density of LRP were higher in adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma(t=6.977,6.114;P0.001),and higher in well differentiation group than in poor differentiation group(F=4.717,5.324;P0.05).They were not related to the clinical stage,lymph node metastasis,patient's age or tumor size(F=1.901,2.165;t=0.837-2.165;P0.05). Conclusion Quantitative analysis of LRP expression in NSCLC can well reflect the drug resistance of NSCLC and predict the sensitivity of cancer to chemotherapy.It is of clinical significance to guide the chemotherapy.