Does the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins differ between nonsmall cell lung carcinoma subtypes?
Although this was only a pilot study, the results revealed significant differences in the expression of apoptosis-related proteins both between individual samples of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma and between the two main histologic subtypes. Such differences may play a role in the development of lung tumors; and, if it is found that these differences are of clinical importance, then it may be required to regard nonsmall cell lung carcinoma subtypes as separate entities rather than as one disease.
The clinical sensitivity of this assay can be potentially improved by incorporating other common genetic targets such as p53 and KRAS. Advances in technology which will permit for rapid detection of an array of specific mutations and methylation would enhance the utility of this approach.