Expression of caspase-3 and c-myc in non-small cell lung cancer

• Published in: Cancer research and treatment 2004, 36(5), , pp.303-307
• Main Authors: Yoo, Jin young, Kim, Chi Hong, Song, So Hyang, Shim, Byoung Yong, Jeong, Youn Ju, Ahn, Meyung Im, Kim, Suji, Cho, Deog Gon, Jo, Min Seop, Cho, Kyu Do, Cho, Hong Joo, Kang, Seok Jin, Kim, Hoon Kyo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original; 의약학
• ISSN: 1598-2998; 2005-9256
• DOI: 10.4143/crt.2004.36.5.303

Caspase-3 is a cysteine protease that plays an important role in the process of apoptotic cell death, but little has been studied clinically on caspase-3 in lung cancer. Increased c-myc expression can result in mitosis or apoptosis, and its contribution to the pathogenesis and prognosis of lung cancer has gained interest. In the present study, the expressions of caspase-3 and c-myc, along with their possible correlations with prognostic variables, were analyzed in resected non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Archival tumor tissues from 147 previously untreated NSCLC patients were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expressions of caspase-3 and c-myc proteins. Clinical information was obtained through the computerized retrospective database from the tumor registry. The expressions of caspase-3 and c-myc were detected in 60 (88/147) and 16% (24/147) of tumors, respectively. No association was found between caspase-3 and c-myc expressions. A multivariate analysis demonstrated the N status and pathologic stage to be significantly correlated with poor survival (p-value=.018 and .002, respectively), but positive expression of caspase-3 was associated with a good prognosis (p=.03). Our data suggest the involvement of caspase-3 in the tumorigenesis of NSCLC. It is also noteworthy that caspase-3 expression might be a favorable prognostic indicator in these tumors.