Expression of Notch Gene and Its Impact on Survival of Patients with Resectable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: Notch signaling has been demonstrated to frequently participate in the process of lung carcinogenesis. This study aimed to search Notch expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its impact on survival. METHODS: From 2001 to 2011, patients with diagnosis of NSCLC who received surgical resection were included. The expression of Notch gene was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical characteristics, histological types, disease stages, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients with NSCLC being explored the expression of Notch gene (Notch1-4). Seventy-five patients (77.3%) were adenocarcinoma. Patients with adenocarcinoma had higher expression of Notch2 than other histology types (p < 0.001). Otherwise, patients with squamous cell carcinoma had relative higher expression of Notch1 and Notch3 expression (p = 0.014 and p = 0.032, respectively). Notch2 expression increased associated with patients with more advanced lung cancer stage. Patients who had cancer recurrence also had higher Notch2 expression (p = 0.008). The patient group with lung adenocarcinoma of both high Notch1 and Notch3 expression had a shorter median disease-free survival (DFS) (both high v.s both low: DFS, median, 7.2 v. s 25.3 months, p = 0.03). However, the expression of Notch gene had no impact on overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lung adenocarcinoma had higher Notch2 expression. Patients with higher Notch2 expression also had higher rate of cancer recurrence. Both higher Notch1 and Notch3 expression was associated with poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma.