Increased human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression but not telomerase activity is related to survival in curatively resected non-small cell lung cancer.
Anticancer Res. 2009 Apr; 29(4):1157-62.AR

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression and telomerase activity as prognostic markers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a series of 69 curatively resected NSCLC specimens, telomerase activity was analyzed with the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay and expression of hTERT mRNA by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Partitioning of gene expression levels and protein activities to construct prognostic groups was attempted.

RESULTS

Human hTERT mRNA transcripts were detected in 62 (89.9%) cases of NSCLC. Seven (10.1%) tumors were completely negative for hTERT expression. Dichotomized hTERT levels (<0.42 versus > or =0.42) were associated with prognosis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated a significant difference (log rank: p<0.01) with 5-year survival rates of 44.3% (+/-7.1%) for low as compared to 80% (+/-8.9%) for high hTERT mRNA expression. Low hTERT expression was also significantly associated with squamous cell histology (p<0.03). Telomerase activity was not associated with survival, stage, pT and pN categories, histological type or grading. Comparison of hTERT mRNA expression and telomerase activity was possible in 66 patients and showed a significant difference (p<0.0001) by Wilcoxon rank test.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study which demonstrates that high hTERT mRNA expression is associated with improved 5-year survival rates. Expression patterns are distinct among histopathological subtypes of NSCLC and telomerase activity (TRAP) is significantly higher than hTERT mRNA expression.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Metzger R
Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, D-50931 Cologne, Germany. Ralf.Metzger@uk-koeln.de
Vallbohmer D
No affiliation info available
Müller-Tidow C
No affiliation info available
Higashi H
No affiliation info available
Bollschweiler E
No affiliation info available
Warnecke-Eberz U
No affiliation info available
Brabender J
No affiliation info available
Baldus SE
No affiliation info available
Xi H
No affiliation info available
Berdel WE
No affiliation info available
Serve H
No affiliation info available
Hoelscher AH
No affiliation info available
Schneider PM
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdenocarcinomaAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCarcinoma, Large CellCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungCarcinoma, Squamous CellFemaleHumansLung NeoplasmsMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisProspective StudiesRNA, MessengerReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionSurvival RateTelomerase

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

19414359