The presence of carboxypeptidase-M in tumour cells signifies epidermal growth factor receptor expression in lung adenocarcinomas: the coexistence predicts a poor prognosis regardless of EGFR levels.

摘要: Carboxypeptidase-M (CPM) is a membrane-bound peptidase that metabolizes peptides, and present in pneumocytes. CPM hydrolyses the C-terminal arginine of epidermal growth factor (EGF) resulting des-Arg53-EGF which binds to EGF receptor (EGFR) with an equal or greater affinity than native EGF. Therefore, this study focused on possible presence human lung adenocarcinomas (ADC) evaluated relationship between EGFR by assessing impact expressions patient clinical outcome. This retrospective 110 patients who underwent resection primary tumour (92) metastatic tissues (18) for treatment diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was made serial sections using standard methods. demonstrates first time 23.6% ADCs express carboxypeptidase-M (26/110), mainly forms. The amounts extent within tumours vary from low levels obviously overexpressed immunohistochemical positivity (+) negatively correlated disease survival. In addition, 80% CPM+ (21/26) showed coexpression suggesting high prevalence coexistence. follow up data indicated significantly shorter 5-year survival CPM+–EGFR+ (double-positive) compared those harbouring neoplasias negative both proteins (9.5 vs. 60.4% survivals, P < 0.001). fact often co-express suggests functional-regulatory link these might have therapeutical consequences. novel could lead improved IHC tests expression.