Three Markers in Cancerous and Healthy Cells of Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC)

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death among males and females. The<br />diagnosis of lung cancer is of great importance for clinical considerations and follow-up treatment. This study aimed<br />to examine the expression of CEA, LUNX, and CK19 biomarkers in the cancerous and healthy tissues of patients<br />suffering from NSCLC. Methods: In this study, 30 patients with NSCLCs referring to Masih Daneshvari Hospital<br />in Tehran were voluntarily selected prior to taking any treatment. A tissue sample from the center and a sample of<br />healthy tissues close to the cancerous masses were prepared by a specialist in the bronchoscopy sector and tested using<br />real-time RT-PCR. Results: Positive CEA mRNA was observed in cancerous tissues in the center of tumors of 25 out<br />of 30 cases. In the healthy tissue group, the same was found in 10 out of 30 cases (P<0.001). The markers CK19 and<br />LUNX mRNAs showed to be positive in cancerous samples in the center of tumors of 15 and 22 out of 30 cases, and in<br />the healthy tissue group, the expression was observed in 5 and 4 out of 30 cases, respectively(P<0.001). Conclusion:<br />This study confirms that the aformentioed markers are the ones with a relatively appropriate sensitivity and specificity<br />for the diagnosis of lung cancer.