Open AccessExpression of beclin 1 in non‐small cell lung cancer: an immunohistochemical study
Author(s) -
Lv Zhiqiang,
Han Jingjing,
Liu Yeqing,
Wang Lili,
Tang Qionglan,
Sun Qing,
Li Haigang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12148
Subject(s) - lung cancer , medicine , immunohistochemistry , carcinogenesis , epidermal growth factor receptor , autophagy , cancer research , lung , oncology , pathology , cancer , biology , apoptosis , genetics
Background Cigarette smoking causes a variety of adverse human health effects, including lung cancer. The molecular events associated with smoke‐induced carcinogenesis are thought to be related in part to autophagy. Beclin 1 is an important autophagy‐related protein involved in cell death and cell survival. Aim The purpose of this investigation was to determine the beclin 1 protein and its association with cigarette smoke and the mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) in non‐small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ). Material and methodology Our study included 108 cases of non‐small cell lung cancer who were admitted in our hospital. The beclin 1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and EGFR mutation by direct sequencing. Results Beclin 1 expression could be detected in 15 (13.9%) of 108 specimens. These studies investigated that beclin 1 expression was associated with heavy smoking, the gender and the histological type of NSCLC ( P = 0.023, 0.035 and 0.039). No association of beclin 1 with EGFR mutation was found ( P > 0.05). Conclusion The results from these experiments indicate that heavy smoking may induce the beclin 1 protein in NSCLC .