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Lung cancers detected by screening with spiral computed tomography have a malignant phenotype when analyzed by cDNA
Fabrizio Bianchi1, Jiangting Hu, Giuseppe Pelosi
1Cancer Research UK Tumor Pathology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Summary
Early-stage lung cancers detected by computed tomography (CT) screening share gene expression profiles with symptomatic tumors. However, distinct gene expression patterns suggest differences in malignant potential between early and symptomatic lung cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Spiral computed tomography (CT) enables early detection of lung cancer.
- The malignant potential of early-stage, CT-detected lung lesions remains uncertain compared to symptomatic tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether small, CT-detected lung cancers possess the same lethal potential as symptomatic tumors.
- To compare the gene expression profiles of early-stage lung carcinomas with those of symptomatic lung cancers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cDNA microarray platform for gene expression profiling.
- Compared gene expression profiles of spiral CT-detected lung carcinomas against a matched case-control group of symptomatic lung cancer patients.
Main Results:
- Gene expression profiles of CT-detected and symptomatic tumors were comparable.
- Correspondence analysis identified nine differentially expressed genes, but high variability precluded distinct group separation.
- Early-detected tumors showed higher retinoic acid production and increased expression of caveolin 2, matrix Gla, and cystatin A.
Conclusions:
- All studied tumors were histologically malignant per WHO Classification.
- Early lung cancers detected via screening exhibit a gene expression pattern similar to, yet not identical to, symptomatic lung carcinomas.