L1CAM protein expression is associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

• Main Authors: Weder Walter, Sos Martin L, Bonde Anne-Katrine, Kristiansen Glen, Schirmer Uwe, Hausladen Silke, Pfeifer Marco, Tischler Verena, Moch Holger, Altevogt Peter, Soltermann Alex
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-10-01
• Series: Molecular Cancer
• Subjects: L1 cell adhesion molecule; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; tumor-stroma interface; prognostic marker; non-small cell lung cancer; tissue microarray
• Online Access: http://www.molecular-cancer.com/content/10/1/127

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is potentially involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT marker expression is of prognostic significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The relevance of L1CAM for NSCLC is unclear. We investigated the protein expression of L1CAM in a cohort of NSCLC patients. L1CAM protein expression was correlated with clinico-pathological parameters including survival and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>L1CAM protein expression was found in 25% of squamous cell carcinomas and 24% of adenocarcinomas and correlated with blood vessel invasion and metastasis (p < 0.05). L1CAM was an independent predictor of survival in a multivariate analysis including pT, pN, and pM category, and tumor differentiation grade. L1CAM expression positively correlated with vimentin, beta-catenin, and slug, but inversely with E-cadherin (all p-values < 0.05). E-cadherin expression was higher in the tumor center than in the tumor periphery, whereas L1CAM and vimentin were expressed at the tumor-stroma interface. In L1CAM-negative A549 cells the L1CAM expression was upregulated and matrigel invasion was increased after stimulation with TGF-beta1. In L1CAM-positive SK-LU-1 and SK-LC-LL cells matrigel invasion was decreased after L1CAM siRNA knockdown.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A subset of NSCLCs with vessel tropism and increased metastasis aberrantly expresses L1CAM. L1CAM is a novel prognostic marker for NSCLCs that is upregulated by EMT induction and appears to be instrumental for enhanced cell invasion.</p>