[Molecular biological prognostic markers in lung cancer]

Recent advance in cell-molecular biological studies have revealed various prognostic factors in lung cancer. The aim of this paper is to critically review the current status of molecular biological prognostic markers in non-small cell lung cancer. DNA ploidy, AgNORs and PCNA as marker of tumor cellular proliferative activity are reported to be a prognostic marker but still remain controversial. The proteases such as uPA, MMPs and CB catalyze degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes. Although the prognostic implications of the uPA and MMPs still remain unclear, cathepsin B appears to be one of the most useful prognostic markers so far reported for non-small cell lung cancer. In a number of studies, genetic abnormalitis has been reported to be a prognostic marker in cancer patients. In non-small cell lung cancer, the prognostic implication of the altered p53 expression or ras p21 expression still remain unclear, especially p53 is conflicting. The most useful clinical prognostic marker may be obtained by the combined analysis of some prognostic information.