Abstract:
Objective To investigate the expression of coxsackie and adenovirus receptors (CAR) and the progression of lung cancer to provide a foundation for the clinical treatment of lung cancer using adenovirus vector-based gene therapy.
Methods The CAR expression in lung cancer, paraneoplastic, and normal tissues of 112 patients was assayed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The mRNA and protein expression of CAR in 32 cases were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. All data were analyzed using SPSS16.0, and a Kaplan-Meier survival curve was constructed. A log-rank test was also conducted.
Results No CAR expression was found in normal lung tissues. CAR expression was higher in the paraneoplastic tissues than in the normal lung tissues. Furthermore, CAR expression was higher in adenocarcinoma (70%) than in the squamous cell cancer (43%). However, both were significantly higher compared with that in the paraneoplastic tissues (P < 0.01). The results of the mRNA expression by RT-PCR and protein expression by Western blot agree with the results obtained from IHC.
Conclusion CAR is overexpressed in the human lung cancer, especially in adenocarcinoma, which suggests its function in the occurrence and development of lung cancer. CAR participates in the pathogenic or developmental process in lung cancer. Our research provides reliable basis for adenovirus-mediated gene therapy of lung cancer.