13P Expression of Notch 1 and Notch 3 proteins in imprints of NSCLC: Correlation with prognostic factors.

It has been demonstrated that Notch 1 and Notch 3 proteins may be involved in malignant transformation and development of various types of tumours. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Notch 1 and 3 proteins as biomarkers of predicting the prognostic outcome for patients with NSCLC Imprint lung cancer specimens were examined from 50 patients with NSCLC who underwent surgical resection. An immunocytochemical method was apply with the use of Notch 1 and Notch 3 antibodies. The expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Overexpression of Notch 1 and Notch 3 proteins was observed in 52% (26/50) and 48% (24/50) of NSCLC. The expression of Notch 1 was significantly correlated with stage (p = 0.02) and grade. The expression of Notch 3 was associated with lymphnode status (p = 0.001) and the stage (p < 0.0001) while the coexpression of Notch 1 and Notch 3 was correlated with lymphnode status (p = 0.0047), stage (p = 0.0001) and grade (p < 0.0001). Coexpression of both proteins had a significantly poorer prognosis than those without coexpression (p < 0.001). In conclusion coexpression of both proteins correlates with poorer prognosis, in patients with resected NSCLC. Furthermore Notch 3 presents as a more attractive prognostic biomarker for NSCLC compared with Notch 1.