Emerging role of nuclear phospholipase C-β1 in lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy accounting for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. To better understand its pathology and prognosis, this study focused on the molecular profiling of tissues and clinical outcomes derived directly from lung cancer patients. Recently, the involvement of phospholipase enzymes in cancer has been highlighted, as they are involved in crucial cellular signaling pathways. The mRNA and protein expression levels of phospholipase C (PLC) isoforms were analyzed in biopsies from NSCLC patients. Utilizing Kaplan-Meier plotter database, the prognostic role of PLCs could be assessed. Researchers identified significant changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of various PLC isoforms in patient biopsies. Notably, PLCβ1 was found to be overexpressed in every tumor sample. In addition, the use of KM-Plotter hypothesized an association between elevated PLCβ1 levels and poorer survival outcomes, emphasizing the variations due to patient-specific factors, such as tumor stage and smoking history. Immunohistochemistry performed on patient-derived samples revealed a clear contrast in protein localization. In tumor tissues, PLCβ1 was predominantly found in the nucleus, whereas in adjacent healthy tissues, it remained almost exclusively in the cytoplasm. Nuclear localization is known to be linked to cell cycle modulation; therefore, it may represent a critical event in cancer development. The study highlighted critical alterations in PLC isoforms observed within the patient population. These findings demonstrate that PLCβ1 is significantly upregulated in malignant tissues and correlates with adverse clinical outcomes. Consequently, PLCβ1 may serve as a candidate biomarker, warranting further investigation into its potential role in the management and treatment of NSCLC patients.