OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between pre B cell leukemia transcription factor 2 (PBX2)/Ets domain transcription factor 2 (ELF2) expression with prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSExpressions of ELF2 and PBX2 were examined in 206 patients of NSCLC by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of PBX2/ELF2 expression with valosin-containing protein (VCP) expression and clinicopathologic factors of NSCLC patients was analyzed. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Cox's regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe level of PBX2/ELF2 expression was associated with VCP expression (P=0.0126). Univariate analysis showed that 5-y disease free survival and overall survival (OS) of NSCLC were correlated with expression of PBX2, PBX2/ELF2 and VCP, tumor size, histological differentiation, visceral pleural invasion, N and T in pTNM grades, and clinical stages (P<0.05). The 5-y OS was also related to vascular invasion (P=0.0322). Multivariate analysis revealed that the expression level of PBX2/ELF2 and histological differentiation were independent predictors for NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONThe level of PBX2/ELF2 expression is related to VCP expression, indicating that PBX2/ELF2-VCP pathway may be associated with the prognosis of NSCLC patients.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Valosin Containing Protein