Cell loss and proliferation in non-small cell lung carcinoma: correlation with histological subtype

Background: Cell kinetic data are important indicators of the aggressiveness of tumor and treatment response. The size of a neoplasm depends on the balance between cell proliferation and death. Thus, the analysis of the kinetics of cell proliferation and death may explain differences in the rates of tumour progression. Methods: We studied apoptosis and proliferative indices in 95 cases of non-small cell lung carcinomas. The analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue, by both MIB-1 immunocytochemical detection to establish the proliferation index and the in-situ end labelling method for the apoptosis index. The two indices were related. Results: Our results showed a high proliferative index and cell loss rate in squamous cell carcinoma, and a low proliferative index and cell loss rate in adenocarcinoma, suggesting two different growth patterns. Conclusion: These findings could explain the different biological behaviour and treatment response of the tumours. The tendency of a cancer cell to undergo apoptosis may be especially important for the chemotherapy of malignant tumours with a low growth rate, which are typically resistant to cytostatic agents.