Prognostic Role of S100A8 and S100A9 Protein Expressions in Non-small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

Abstract

Background: S100A8 and S100A9 have been gaining recognition for modulating tumor growth and metastasis. This study aimed at evaluating the clinical significance of S100A8 and S100A9 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We analyzed the relationship between S100A8 and S100A9 expressions, clinicopathological characteristics, and prognostic significance in tumor cells and peritumoral inflammatory cells. Results: The positive staining of S100A8 in tumor cells was significantly increased in male (p<.001), smoker (p= .034), surgical method other than lobectomy (p=.024), squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) (p< .001) and higher TNM stage (p=.022) compared with female, non-smoker, lobectomy, adenocarcinoma (ADC), and lower stage. The proportion of tumor cells stained for S100A8 was related to histologic type (p<.001) and patient sex (p= .027). The proportion of inflammatory cells stained for S100A8 was correlated with patient age (p=.022), whereas the proportion of inflammatory cells stained for S100A9 was correlated with patient sex (p<.001) and smoking history (p=.031). Moreover, positive staining in tumor cells, more than 50% of the tumor cells stained and less than 30% of the inflammatory cells stained for S100A8 and S100A9 suggested a tendency towards increased survivability in SQCC but towards decreased survivability in ADC. Conclusions: S100A8 and S100A9 expressions right be potential prognostic markers in patients with NSCLC.