EGFR和c-Met基因的相对拷贝数在非小细胞肺癌预后中的意义

Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor and c-Met gene copies for prognostic evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer

目的通过研究非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)病人组织中表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)和c-Met的DNA相对拷贝数的变化,探讨EGFR和c-Met基因在NSCLC发生发展和预测预后过程中的作用。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测61例NSCLC病人组织中EGFR和c-Met的DNA相对拷贝数,分析它们之间的相关性,以及与各种临床病理特征的关系,并进行生存分析比较。结果 EGFR和c-Met的DNA相对拷贝数的相关系数r=0.352,P=0.005,呈显著性正相关。EGFR和c-Met DNA在吸烟患者中的相对拷贝数分别为0.15和0.13,均高于不吸烟患者;在腺癌中的相对拷贝数分别为0.16和0.14,均高于鳞癌,上述差异经检验有统计学意义(P<0.05)。在鳞癌患者中,EGFR和c-Met DNA相对拷贝数越高则预后越差,经Log-Rank检验,两组病例生存差别有统计学意义(P=0.015,P=0.046)。结论 EGFR和c-Met在NSCLC的发生和发展中可能存在相互或协同作用,能够对鳞癌患者进行预后评估。

Objective To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor（EGFR） and c-Met in the oncogenesis,development and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC）.Methods The relative copy numbers of EGFR and c-Met mRNA were detected in 61 cases of NSCLC by fluorescent RT-PCR,and the correlation between EGFR and c-Met as well as their correlation to the clinicopathological data of the patients were analyzed.A survival analysis was also performed in relation to EGFR and c-Met expressions.Results The relative copy numbers of EGFR and c-Met were positively correlated（r=0.352,P=0.005）.The levels of these two genes in smokers were 0.15 and 0.14,respectively,significantly higher than those in non-smokers（P0.05）;their levels were 0.16 and 0.14 in adenocarcinoma,respectively,significantly higher than those in squamous carcinomas（P0.05）.In patients with squamous carcinomas,a higher level of EGFR and c-Met DNA copies was associated with poorer prognosis,and Log Rank analysis indicated a survival difference in relation to EGFR and c-Met DNA copies（P=0.015,P=0.046）.Conclusion EGFR and c-Met may interact in a synergistic manner in the oncogenesis and development of NSCLC,and may help in the prognostic evaluation of squamous carcinomas.