BACKGROUNDIt has been proven that ezrin protein may interact with E-cadherin protein and take part in metastasis of tumors. The aim of this study is to detect the expression of ezrin and E-cadherin and their significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tissue microarray technique.

METHODSEzrin and E-cadherin proteins were detected in 25 cases of benign pulmonary tissues, 287 cases of NSCLC tissues and 120 cases of metastatic lymph nodes by LSAB method of immunohistochemical staining. All patients were followed up.

RESULTSThe overexpression rate of ezrin in primary NSCLC tissues and metastatic lymph nodes was 57.8% and 83.3% respectively (P=0.000). The abnormal expression rate of E-cadherin in primary NSCLC tissues and metastatic lymph nodes was 82.6% and 98.3% respectively (P=0.000). The overexpression rate of ezrin was significantly related to grading (P=0.005) and metastasis (P=0.032). The abnormal expression rate of E-cadherin was closely related to grading (P=0.024), metastasis (P=0.015) and TNM stages (P=0.037). There was a negative correlation between expression of ezrin and E-cadherin (P=0.029). Grading, metastasis of NSCLC, TNM stages, overexpression of ezrin and abnormal expression of E-cadherin were independent prognostic factors of NSCLC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOverexpression of ezrin and abnormal expression of E-cadherin may promote tumor metastasis. Ezrin and E-cadherin may be useful prognostic markers for patients with advanced NSCLC.