Expression of c-Jun, p73, Casp9, and N-ras in thymic epithelial tumors: relationship with the current WHO classification systems

• Main Authors: Ma Yuqing, Li Qiaoxin, Cui Wenli, Miao Na, Liu Xia, Zhang Wei, Zhang Chen, Wang Jian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-09-01
• Series: Diagnostic Pathology
• Subjects: Thymic tumour; Histologic classification; World Health Organization (WHO); c-Jun; p73; Casp-9; N-ras
• Online Access: http://www.diagnosticpathology.org/content/7/1/120

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the expression and differential significance of c-Jun, p73, Casp-9 and N-ras in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) with the aim to provide useful information for tumor biology and prospective therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we analyzed the expression of four chromosome 1-related genes, namely c-Jun, p73, Casp-9 and N-ras, in 60 cases of thymic epithelial tumors. The tumors included 52 thymomas and 8 thymic carcinomas which were categorized according to the current WHO classification systems.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with the normal thymus tissue, all thymic epithelial tumors demonstrated higher expression of c-Jun and p73. The expression of c-Jun and p73 in type B2, B3 thymoma and thymic carcinomas was similar, and significantly higher than that in all other subtypes of thymomas. Unlike type A thymoma, the expression of Casp-9 was relatively lower in type B thymoma and thymic carcinomas. With respect to the clinical staging systems, c-Jun was more expressed in progressive tumors harboring higher stages. In contrast to c-Jun, p73 and Casp-9, there was no significant aberration with N-ras expression irrespective of either tissue or tumor types.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The overexpression of c-Jun, p73 and Casp-9 in thymic epithelial tumors is closely related with the pathogenesis and biological behavior of the neoplasms. These candidate biomarkers provided useful information for prospective personalized therapy in the clinical management.</p> <p>Additional non-English language abstract language: Chinese</p> <p>背景:评估c-Jun, p73, Casp-9 和 N-ras在胸腺上皮性肿瘤诊断和鉴别诊断中的运用.</p> <p>方法:根据世界卫生组织最新的诊断标准60例胸腺上皮性肿瘤分类,运用Envision法检测c-Jun,p73,Casp-9 和N-ras在不同亚型肿瘤中的表达情况,并结合临床病理学特征进行分析.</p> <p>结果:c-Jun和p73在肿瘤中的表达明显高于正常胸腺组织;c-Jun和p73在B3,B2型胸腺瘤和胸腺癌的表达类似,且表达明显高于其他类型的胸腺肿瘤;Caspase-9在B型胸腺瘤和胸腺癌中的表达相对低于A型胸腺瘤;c-Jun的表达更常见于高级别的胸腺肿瘤.</p> <p>结论:c-Jun,p73和Casp-9在胸腺肿瘤中的表达很好地反映了肿瘤的生物学特点,为胸腺肿瘤的诊断和鉴别诊断提供了较好的理论基础.</p> <p>Virtual Slides</p> <p><url>http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1521774814749726</url></p>