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Expression and clinical significance of leptin, the functional receptor of leptin (OB-Rb) and HER-2 in non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis

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Abstract

Background

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and leptin/OB-R system have been reported to be intertwined in several cancer types. However, limited research has been conducted with regard to this interaction in lung cancers. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the expression levels of these proteins and the development, progression and prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The expression of leptin, OB-Rb and HER-2 was evaluated in 100 NSCLC specimens by immunohistochemistry, with normal lung tissue as controls. The relationships between their expression levels and clinicopathological factors were evaluated by correlation analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the associations between the expression levels of these proteins and the survival of NSCLC patients.

Results

Leptin was expressed in 71 and 25% (P < 0.05) of NSCLC and normal lung tissues, respectively, while OB-Rb was expressed in 62 and 31% (P < 0.05), respectively. Overexpression of HER-2 was detected in 53% of NSCLC tissues versus 0% of normal lung tissues (P < 0.05). A significant association was found between the expression levels of leptin and OB-Rb (P = 0.024), and between tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and HER-2 expression (P = 0.003). Univariate survival analysis showed that TNM stage (P < 0.001) and leptin expression (P = 0.009) influenced survival time. Multivariate analysis suggested that TNM stage [hazard ratio (HR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–2.04, P < 0.001] and leptin expression (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01–2.80, P = 0.044) were independent prognostic factors for NSCLC.

Conclusions

The expression of leptin, OB-Rb and HER-2 was significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues. The expression of leptin is an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Scientific Research Foundation of the State Human Resource Ministry for Returned Chinese Scholars (NO. IA09), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (NO. BK2008477), the Open Foundation of the Health Department of Jiangsu Province (NO. XK18 200904), the Surface Project of the Health Department of Jiangsu Province (NO. H201001) and the Innovation Project of JiangSu Province.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China

    Yan-Jie Xu, Yi-Ting Geng, Kai Wang & Yong-Mei Yin

  2. Department of Pneumology, Nanjing Chest Hospital, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China

    Xia Zhao

  3. Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China

    Yong-Feng Shao

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  1. Yan-Jie Xu
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  2. Yong-Feng Shao
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  3. Xia Zhao
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  4. Yi-Ting Geng
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  5. Kai Wang
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Correspondence to Yong-Mei Yin.

Additional information

Yan-Jie Xu and Yong-Feng Shao contributed equally to this work.

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Xu, YJ., Shao, YF., Zhao, X. et al. Expression and clinical significance of leptin, the functional receptor of leptin (OB-Rb) and HER-2 in non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 137, 1841–1848 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-011-1054-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-011-1054-5

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