Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Experimental Metastasis Assay
Published on: August 25, 2010
[Bone marrow isolated micrometastases of non-small cell lung cancer]
Maciej Dancewicz1, Janusz Kowalewski, Jan Sir
1Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Collegium Medicum w Bydgoszczy, Katedra i Klinika Chirurgii Klatki Piersiowej i Nowotworów. maciej.dancewicz@wp.pl
Unlabelled:
The ability to detect occult systemic metastases in patients with operable NSCLC could have a significant impact on the management of the disease. The aim of the study was to detect occult micrometastatic tumor cells in bone marrow in patients with resectable NSCLC.
Material And Methods:
A total of 35 patients (29 men, 6 women), age between 47 and 78 (mean 61.6) were included in the study. In each of the patients bone marrow aspirates from the ribs were sampled during surgery. Both the tumor and the bone marrow aspirate were examined histologically and immunocytochemically with the cytokeratin: AE1/AE3, CAM 5,2, CK-7, CK-18. The presence of grow factors CD 31 and CD 34 were examined as well.
Results:
No evidence of micrometastases or tumor cells in bone marrow was found in histological examination. Cytokeratin positive (CAM 5,2 +) cells were detected in 33 cases (94.23%) of the tumors and in 21 cases (60.00%) of bone marrow samples. The statistically significant correlation between the presence of CAM 5,2 in tumors and bone marrow was found (p = 0.049). Cytokeratin positive cells were detected in all the 35 tumors (AE1/AE3), in 20 tumors--57.14% (CK-7) and in 23 tumors--65.71% (CK-18). Cytokeratin positive cells (CK-7) were detected in bone marrow sample in one patient only.
Conclusions:
Immunocytochemical examination with the use of cytokeratin CAM 5,2 is of use to detect occult micrometastatic tumor cells in bone marrow in NSCLC patients. However, no correlations were found between the presence of cytokeratin CAM 5,2 in bone marrow or tumor and patients' age, sex and the histological type of NSCLC its degree of malignancy and stage.
Insights
Detecting occult micrometastases in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) bone marrow is crucial. Immunocytochemistry with cytokeratin CAM 5,2 shows promise for identifying these micrometastases in NSCLC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
Context:
- Detecting occult systemic metastases in operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is vital for disease management.
- Micrometastases in bone marrow may influence treatment strategies for resectable NSCLC.
Purpose:
- To investigate the presence of occult micrometastatic tumor cells in bone marrow of patients with resectable NSCLC.
- To evaluate the utility of immunocytochemistry for detecting these micrometastases.
Summary:
- Histological examination of bone marrow aspirates from 35 NSCLC patients revealed no micrometastases.
- Immunocytochemistry detected cytokeratin CAM 5,2 positive cells in 60% of bone marrow samples, correlating significantly with tumor presence (p=0.049).
- No correlation was found between CAM 5,2 detection and patient demographics or tumor characteristics.
Impact:
- Immunocytochemical analysis using cytokeratin CAM 5,2 can aid in detecting occult micrometastatic tumor cells in NSCLC bone marrow.
- This method may improve the staging and management of NSCLC patients.
