Open AccessAssociation between epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness and their effect on the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma
Author(s) -
Sowa Terumasa,
Menju Toshi,
Sonobe Makoto,
Nakanishi Takao,
Shikuma Kei,
Imamura Naoto,
Motoyama Hideki,
Hijiya Kyoko,
Aoyama Akihiro,
Chen Fengshi,
Sato Toshihiko,
Kobayashi Masashi,
Yoshizawa Akihiko,
Haga Hironori,
Sozu Takashi,
Date Hiroshi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.556
Subject(s) - vimentin , adenocarcinoma , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , medicine , immunostaining , lung cancer , malignancy , lung , metastasis , oncology , cancer research , cancer , pathology , immunohistochemistry
The epithelial‐mesenchymal transition ( EMT ) and cancer stemness ( CS ) are reported to be pivotal phenomena involved in metastasis, recurrence, and drug‐resistance in lung cancer; however, their effects on tumor malignancy in clinical settings are not completely understood. The mutual association between these factors also remains elusive and are worthy of investigation. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association between EMT and CS , and their effect on the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. A total of 239 lung adenocarcinoma specimens were collected from patients who had undergone surgery at Kyoto University Hospital from January 2001 to December 2007. Both EMT (E‐cadherin,vimentin) and CS ( CD 133, CD 44, aldehyde dehydrogenase) markers were analyzed through immunostaining of tumor specimens. The association between EMT and CS as well as the patients' clinical information was integrated and statistically analyzed. The molecular expression of E‐cadherin, vimentin, and CD 133 were significantly correlated with prognosis ( P = 0.003, P = 0.005, and P < 0.001). A negative correlation was found between E‐cadherin and vimentin expression ( P < 0.001), whereas, a positive correlation was found between vimentin and CD 133 expression ( P = 0.020). CD 133 was a stronger prognostic factor than an EMT marker. Elevated CD 133 expression is the signature marker of EMT and CS association in lung adenocarcinoma. EMT and CS are associated in lung adenocarcinoma. Importantly, CD 133 is suggested to be the key factor that links EMT and CS , thereby exacerbating tumor progression.