BACKGROUNDThere is important significance of micrometastasis for the individual treatment and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). LUNX is a lung-specific gene found recently. The aim of this study is to detect LUNX mRNA expression in NSCLC patients in order to discuss the possibility of indicating lung cancer micrometastasis by LUNX.

METHODSFluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (FQ-RT-PCR) and ordinary RT-PCR were used to detect LUNX mRNA in cancer tissues, bone marrow and peripheral blood from 62 patients with NSCLC. Lung tissue, bone marrow and peripheral blood from 10 patients with pulmonary benign diseases and peripheral blood from 10 healthy volunteers were served as controls.

RESULTSLUNX mRNA was expressed in all the lung tissues, either malignant or benign. No bone marrow and peripheral blood sample was positive for LUNX mRNA in controls. The positive detection rate of LUNX mRNA for NSCLC was 38.7% (24/62) in bone marrow, 29.0% (18/62) in peripheral blood, and 45.2% (28/62) in either. The positive rate of LUNX mRNA for NSCLC in bone marrow increased according to the stage of disease and there was a statistical significance (P=0.02), aod there was a correlation between bone marrow and peripheral blood expression in NSCLC (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSLUNX mRNA is an efficient indicating factor on sensitivity and specificity to detect early haematogenous dissemination of cancer cells for patients with NSCLC. This method may lead to an earlier diagnosis of metastasis for lung cancer and help to evaluate the cancer more correctly and make the best treatment plan.