FEATURES AND STAGING OF EPITHELIAL-TO-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION IN SMALL CELL CANCER OF LUNGS

Yanchevskyi O. V.

PATHOMORPHOLOGY

Scentific article

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) representing 15% of all lung cancers and is one of the most aggressive malignant tumor among all tumors of human body, which has features relevant to cancers with epithelal-tomesenchenal transformation (EMT). The aim of our study to improve morphological criteria for the prognosis of SCLC based on the study of EMT at the molecular-biological level. Materials and methods. A group of localized SCLC (L-SCKC) was formed – in cases with tumor growth within one area of the chest, and extensive forms of SCLC (E-SCLC) – with tumor spread into the other lung, with metastases in distant lymph nodes, or visceral organs. Immunohistochemical (IHC) research was made using monoclonal antibodies to pancytokeratin, vimentin, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. The results. The expression of epithelial phenotype markers pancytokeratin and E-cadherin was observed in 40% and 58.9% of SCLC, respectively. Appearance of mesenchymal phenotype markers – vimentin and N-cadherin – in 34% and 89%, respectively. It was established that the epithelial immunophenotype without co-expression of mesenchymal markers was observed in 30.7% (12/39), which corresponded to the absence of signs of EMT. During comparing L-SCLC and E-SCLC, it was defined that the presence of EMT is associated with extensive forms of SCLC (p<0.01), however, the absence of correlation was found during SCLC distribution according to the stage of EMT. The average term from diagnosis to death among L-SCLC was 19.7±1.9 months, among E-SCLC – 9.1±1.3 months. An inverse correlation was found between the term of the OS and the appearance of EMT (χ²=7.6, p<0.01), as well as an increase in EMT stage during comparing cases with lethal outcome up to 1 year and longer according to the stages of EMT (χ²=16.6 , p<0.01). Conclusions. IHC signs of EMT process were observed in 69.3% of SCLC. The presence of EMT is associated with E-SCLC (p<0.01). The presence of EMT among L-SCLC was associated with metastasis to regional lymph nodes (p<0.01). The overall survival rate of patients with SCLC depended on the presence of EMT (p<0.01) and its stage (p<0.01), which determines EMT of SCLC as a prognostic feature of the disease.

small cell lung cancer,epithelial-mesenchymal transformation,prognosis

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«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine» Issue 1 (168), 2023 year, 352-359 pages, index UDK 616.24-006.6-091.8+577.21

10.29254/2077-4214-2023-1-168-352-359