EMMPRIN and fascin expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma

Fascin and EMMPRIN (CD 147) have a demonstrated relationship with the invasion and progression of many tumors. The aim of this study was to analyze fascin and EMMPRIN expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma and their relationship with clinicopathologic features. Fascin and EMMPRIN expression levels were investigated via the immunohistochemistry of paraffin-embedded tissues of 64 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma, including 46 squamous cell carcinoma and 18 adenocarcinoma patients. The patients were scored on the basis of staining extent and intensity, and were then assigned a combined score. Fascin expression was present in 44 of 46 (95.6%) patients with SCC and 16 of 18 (88.8%) patients with adenocarcinoma. There was a significant correlation between fascin expression and tumor stage in the SCC and adenocarcinoma groups. EMMPRIN expression was observed in all patients with SCC (46 of 46, 100%) and 16 of 18 (88.8%) patients with adenocarcinoma. There was significant correlation between EMMPRIN expression and both tumor stage and diameter in the SCC group, but not in the adenocarcinoma group. This study revealed that high levels of fascin and EMMPRIN expression may indicate the importance of their roles in the progression of non-small cell lung carcinoma and they could be used as prognostic marker for these tumors.