Expression Of Extracellular Matrix In Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Relationship With Cell Adhesion, Apoptosis And Chemosensitivity

Background and Objective Drug resistance is a principal obstacle in the treatment of stage IIIB and IV patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). It is now clear that the tumor microenvironment influences tumoriogenesis including proliferation, metastasis and response to chemotherapy. The interaction of ECM and its receptors, the integrin family might represent another mechanism for tumor chemo-resistance. We examined the expression features and significance of extracellular matrix (ECM) such as Fibronectin, Collagen IV, Laminin and Integrinβ1 in NSCLC patients to investigate its relationships with tumor growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis and prognosis.Methods Expression of ECM and Integrinβ1 in 57 NSCLC specimens was evaluated with the method of immunohistochemical staining (Envision's).Results In NSCLC,extensive expression rates (≥50% of section area)for Fibronectin , Collagen IV and Laminin were 80.7%, 71.9% and 42.1% respectively and expression rate for Integrinβ1 was 43.9%.The expression rates of Fibronectin, Collagen IV, Laminin and Integrinβ1 in 57 NSCLC were significantly higher than in 23 normal lung (P<0.05).The...