Estrogen-receptor-related protein p29 in primary nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: pathologic and prognostic correlations

Estrogen-dependent intracellular processes are important in the growth regulation of normal tissue and may play a role in the regulation of malignancies. Utilization of estrogen receptor assays in breast carcinoma is well established, but the role of such evaluation in other cancers largely is unknown. In this study, immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and the ER-related protein p29 was correlated with survival of patients with nonsmall cell carcinoma of the lung.

All patients with a tissue diagnosis of primary nonsmall cell bronchogenic carcinoma diagnosed over a 6-year period at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont were reviewed. Assays for p29 and ER using a streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method were performed on each tumor. Results were correlated with clinical data, including survival.

Of 111 tumors examined, 109 (98%) were positive for p29 whereas none of the tumors reacted with ER (ER1D5). The relation between p29 expression and survival time was different for men and women. A statistically significant negative relation for women was observed; this relation was most pronounced in patients with Stage I and II tumors. A positive but not statistically significant relation was observed for men.

The ER-related protein p29 commonly is expressed in nonsmall cell carcinomas of the lung. The relation between p29 and survival time is different for males and females, suggesting the presence of gender specific factors that may influence tumor growth and overall patient survival, especially in patients with early stage lung carcinoma.