Expressions of p63 and p73 and Their Significance in Human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective To investigate the expressions of p53 family new members:p63 and p73 and their clinical significances in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect p63 and p73 protein expressions in 60 NSCLCs and 7 normal lung tissues.Results In NSCLC,positive rates of p63 and p73 protein were 80 0%(48/60),73 3%(44/60) respectively.There were significant differences of p63 and p73 protein compared with normal lung tissue, P 0 05.Expression of p63 protein was closely associated with lymph node metastasis ( P =0 028) and histology types,P=0 000 3,but was not associated with cellular differentiation degree and clinical stages, P 0.05.There was no correlation among p73 protein expression and histology types,lymph node metastasis,cellular differentiation degree and clinical stages, P 0 05.A positive correlation was present between p63 and p73 protein expressions, P =0 000 1.Conclusion The elevated p63 and p73 protein may cooperate to prompt formation of lung cancer,p63 gene is a malignant progress marker of lung squamous cell carcinoma.