Aberrant Expression of E-cadherin in Lung Tissues of Patients with Probable Lung Cancer

Introduction: This study assessed the relationship of E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression with thediagnosis of lung cancer with the aim of providing an auxiliary diagnostic method.
Methods: Semi-quantitativenested RT-PCR and western blotting were applied to detect E-cadherin mRNA transcripts and protein,respectively, in 30 cases of diagnostic lung cancer, 30 cases of clinically suspected patients with lung cancer and30 cases of other disease. Immunohistochemical staining was also used to detect E-cadherin.
Results: Remarkablydecreased levels of relative E-cadherin mRNA value and increased E-cadherin protein negativity were observedin probable lung cancer, when compared with possible lung cancer and others. With a threshold of 1.45, relativeE-cadherin mRNA value showed a sensitivity of 90% and a specifity of 83% for the diagnosis of lung cancer.The combination of decreased relative E-cadherin mRNA value and negative E-cadherin protein increased thespecificity and sensitivity.
Conclusion: These data suggest that Chinese patients with diagnostic lung cancer havesimilar decreased levels of relative E-cadherin mRNA and E-cadherin protein value in the lung cancer tissuesas in lung cancer patients in other countries. Measurement of relative E-cadherin mRNA and protein values inlung cancer tissues has potential for lung cancer diagnosis