Publications

Abstract

Aims: Aberrant expression of cell cycle regulators have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neoplasms including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We examined expression and prognostic value of cyclin B1 and cyclin A, key regulators of the G2/M checkpoint of the cell cycle, in NSCLC and bronchial precursor lesions. Methods and results: Immunohistochemical expression of cyclin B1 and A was examined in 90 cases of stage I-II primary NSCLC and bronchial precursor lesions using tissue microarrays. Increased cyclin B1 and A expression was found in 40.9% and 58.9% of NSCLC cases respectively and was significantly higher in primary NSCLC, lymph node metastases and some bronchial precursor lesions compared to normal bronchial epithelium. Increased expression of cyclin A and cyclin B1 correlated with tumour type, poorly differentiated tumours and male gender. A significant association was found between increased cyclin B1 expression and reduced survival using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. In multivariate analysis, cyclin B1 was not an independent prognostic factor (p=0.067). Cyclin A expression was not associated with survival. Conclusions: Cyclin B1 and cyclin A are aberrantly expressed in NSCLC and some precursor lesions. Cyclin B1 but not cyclin A shows some promise as a potential prognostic marker in NSCLC.