Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2016) 41 EP614 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.41.EP614

1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; 2Department of Thoracic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; 3Department of Clinical Pathology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; 4Greater Poland Cancer Center, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention, Poznan, Poland.


Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs comprise 20% of primary lung tumors. Nestin is an intermediate filament protein, expressed in stem cells during fetal development. It is also described as a potential cancer stem cell marker, angiogenesis marker and indicator of poorer survival probability for patients with some types of malignancies. Adversely, Klotho gene is a potential tumor suppressor. Aberrant expression of Klotho have been recently noticed in a number of cancers. The knowledge of neuroendocrine tumors of the lung is scarce, so that in our study we aim at finding a marker which can possibly be used to establish prognosis and help to adjust the treatment to the type and stage of tumor.

Methods: We assessed immunohistochemically the expression of nestin and Klotho in 40 patients: in 20 cases of large cell neuroendocrine cancer (LCNEC), and in 20 cases of carcinoid tumors. We retrospectively reviewed patient charts and analyzed multiple variables like tumor size, metastases and overall survival time.

Results: We did not disclose any correlation between Klotho, nestin expression and Ki-67, initial tumor size, TNM stage in carcinoid tumors. In LCNEC there was no correlation between Klotho, nestin expression and overall survival time or metastases. Nestin expression was correlated with the patient’s age in LCNEC group (P=0.048, r=−0.44). When comparing the level of expression of Klotho in carcinoids and LCNEC, it was significantly higher in the first group (P<0.0001). Additionally, nestin expression was more pronounced in LCNEC then carcinoids (P<0.0080).

Conclusion: Carcinoids usually characterized by indolent clinical behavior are characterized by higher Klotho expression, then LCNEC. Adversely, nestin expression is more pronounced in aggressive LCNEC. It points to a conclusion that, both Klotho and nestin might be useful as a possible biomarkers. Further studies, on a larger group of patients should be conducted.

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