Three-year Survival Rate after Radiofrequency Ablation for Surgically Resectable Colorectal Lung Metastases: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Background Although radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely performed for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) lung metastases, its efficacy for candidates with surgically resectable disease is unclear. Purpose To evaluate the prognosis after RFA in participants with resectable CRC lung metastases. Materials and Methods For this prospective multicenter study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00776399), participants with five or fewer surgically resectable lung metastases measuring 3 cm or less were included. Participants with CRC and a total of 100 lung metastases measuring 0.4-2.8 cm (mean, 1.0 cm ± 0.5) were chosen and treated with 88 sessions of RFA from January 2008 to April 2014. The primary end point was the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate, with an expected rate of 55%. The local tumor progression rate and safety were evaluated as secondary end points. The OS rates were generated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank tests and Cox proportional regression models were used to identify the prognostic factors by means of univariable and multivariable analyses. Adverse events were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. Results Seventy participants with CRC (mean age, 66 years ± 10; 49 men) were evaluated. The 3-year OS rate was 84% (59 of 70 participants; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 76%, 93%). In multivariable analysis, factors associated with worse OS included rectal rather than colon location (hazard ratio [HR] = 7.7; 95% CI: 2.6, 22.6; P < .001), positive carcinoembryonic antigen (HR = 5.8; 95% CI: 2.0, 16.9; P = .001), and absence of previous chemotherapy (HR = 9.8; 95% CI: 2.5, 38.0; P < .001). Local tumor progression was found in six of the 70 participants (9%). A grade 5 adverse event was seen in one of the 88 RFA sessions (1%), and grade 2 adverse events were seen in 18 (20%). Conclusion Lung radiofrequency ablation provided a favorable 3-year overall survival rate of 84% for resectable colorectal lung metastases measuring 3 cm or smaller. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Gemmete in this issue.

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor of the lung: A report of five cases.

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) of the lung is a newly defined and extremely rare tumor characterized by a papillary growth pattern, consisting of ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells, and basal cells with abundant mucin production. Tumor definitions and clinicopathological features continue to be debated. Herein, we report five surgical cases of CMPT to characterize its radiographic, gross, and microscopic features. The five cases involved three male patients aged 80, 67, and 66 years, and two female patients aged 73 and 70 years. Three cases were discovered during health care screenings, and two cases were found during follow-up for another synchronous cancer. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor tissue was composed of ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells, and basal cells with abundant mucin production. Neither nuclear atypia nor mitotic figures were observed. All patients had good prognoses. The benign histological features and clinical courses in these five cases suggest that CMPT is an independent and benign tumor of the lung.

Radiofrequency ablation for ground-glass opacity-dominant lung adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the clinical utility of lung radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of ground-glass opacity (GGO)-dominant lung adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2004 through May 2012, 33 consecutive patients (14 men and 19 women; mean age, 71.1 y; age range, 46-84 y) with 42 lung tumors having ≥ 50% GGO component received lung RF ablation. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 1.6 cm ± 0.9 (range, 0.7-4.0 cm). Feasibility, safety, local tumor progression, and survival were evaluated. RESULTS: For the 42 RF sessions, after RF electrodes were placed in each target tumor, planned ablation protocols were completed in all sessions (100%; 42 of 42). No deaths related to the RF procedure occurred. Major and minor complication rates were 4.8% and 23.8%, respectively. Local tumor progression developed in 6 tumors (14.3%; 6 of 42) during a mean follow-up of 42 months ± 23 (range, 5-92 mo). Four of six tumors with local progression were controlled by repeated RF ablation. No evidence of disease was achieved in 31 of 33 patients (93.9%) at the end of the follow-up period. All but one patient (who died of brain hemorrhage) are alive today. Overall and cancer-specific survival rates were 100% and 100% at 1 year, 96.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77.5%-99.5%) and 100% at 3 years, and 96.4% (95% CI, 77.5%-99.5%) and 100% at 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lung RF ablation is a feasible, safe, and useful therapeutic option to control GGO-dominant lung adenocarcinoma.

Prognostic Value of CXCL12 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Tumor Resection.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is commonly indicated in lung cancer patients undergoing surgical therapy because tumor recurrence is frequent. A biomarker that can predict tumor recurrence in the postoperative period is currently unavailable. CXCR4 receptor and its ligand CXCL12 play important roles in metastasis. This study investigated the value of tumor CXCL12 expression to predict prognosis and indicate adjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients. This study enrolled 82 non-small cell lung cancer patients. The expression of CXCL12 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The degree of CXCL12 expression was assessed using the Allred score system. Among all subjects, the progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly prolonged in cancer patients with low tumor expression of CXCL12 compared to patients with high tumor expression. Multivariate analysis showed that the increased level of CXCL12 is a significant predictor of progression-free survival and overall survival in NSCLC patients. Among subjects with high tumor CXCL12 expression, progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly improved in patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy compared to untreated patients. These results suggest the potential value of tumor CXCL12 expression as a marker to predict prognosis and to indicate adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical tumor resection in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

[Incidence of string-like adhesion between thoracic wall and bullae observed during video-assisted thoracic surgery( VATS) for spontaneous pneumothorax].

It is not rare that string-like adhesion between lung apex and chest wall is observed during videoassisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for spontaneous pneumothorax. This adhesion may cause hemothorax which requires emergency operation, although the precise incidence of such cases is uncertain. We analyzed consecutive 120 spontaneous pneumothorax cases underwent VATS at Suzuka General Hospital from January 2005 to September 2008. Twenty-one out of 120 (17.5%) were such cases receiving partial resection of the lung including the adhesion after dividing it. Pathological study revealed the bullae close to the adhesion in all cases, suggesting that these adhesion caused after possible former pneumothorax. Thus, 21 cases might be recurrent pneumothorax. Even in clinically 1st onset pneumothorax, those cases may be good indication for VATS.

Extended Bronchoplasty Anastomosed between the Left Main and the Superior Segmental Bronchi for Locally Advanced Left Upper Lobe Lung Cancer with Invasion of the Basal Segment.

We report a case of extended bronchoplasty in which anastomosis between the left main and the superior segmental bronchi with resection of the left upper lobe and basal segment was required to avoid pneumonectomy for locally advanced lung cancer. The main tumor located at the left upper lobe invaded the basal segment, and involved both the basal pulmonary artery and left secondary carina. Regarding anastomosis, the bronchi were cut in a deep wedge shape and a wall flap was made by part of the lower lobar bronchus. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and he has been alive without recurrence for more than 3 years after surgery.

Comparison of the efficacy of novel two covering methods for spontaneous pneumothorax: a multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVES: The postoperative recurrence rate after thoracoscopic bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is not satisfactory. This retrospective study was conducted to elucidate an effective technique for improving the postoperative recurrence rate. METHODS: The present study included 373 patients who underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy for PSP at three hospitals from January 2013 to May 2020. We compared the recurrence rate according to two methods that were used to cover the staple line after thoracoscopic bullectomy. Group A (146 patients) was treated with an absorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet plus fibrin glue and oxidised regenerated cellulose (ORC). Group B (227 patients) was treated with ORC alone. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in preoperative characteristics of the patients. The postoperative recurrence rate of pneumothorax was 3.4% (5/146) in Group A and 17.2% (39/227) in Group B, respectively. Among 23 patients (Group A, n=3 and Group B, n=20) who received reoperation for recurrent pneumothorax, the site of recurrence was around the stapler line of the first operation in 1 of 5 (20%) patients in Group A and 28 of 39 (71.8%) patients in Group B. The 1-year recurrence-free rate was 97.4% (median follow-up period, 73 days (range, 2-3952 days)) in Group A and 80.9% (median follow-up period, 71 days (range 2-2648 days)) in Group B. CONCLUSIONS: Coverage with a PGA sheet may prevent the postoperative recurrence of PSP. A large-scale prospective randomised study should be conducted to clarify the most effective treatment for PSP.

[A case of metastatic pulmonary cancer from renal cell carcinoma masquerading as pulmonary vein varix].

A 66-year-old woman underwent nephrectomy to treat renal cell carcinoma 5 years previously. Enhanced CT to locate the tumor revealed a lesion very close to the right upper pulmonary vein. Six months later, the nodule grew to 14mm in maximum dimension and it seemed to be a varix of the right upper pulmonary vein on 3D-CT. However, pulmonary artery angiography (PAG) denied this possibility. PET-CT revealed the nodule to be positive for FDG uptake (maxSUV 2.7 in the early phase and 2.2 in the late phase), suggesting that it contained solid tissue with malignant characteristics. Eventually, right upper lobectomy was performed. The nodule was a metastatic renal cell carcinoma with extremely abundant vascular components. This conspicuous feature of the tumor appeared to mimic a pulmonary vein varix on enhanced CT scan and 3D angiogram.

A simple and reliable method to preoperatively detect a common trunk of the left pulmonary vein.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to detect a common trunk of the left pulmonary vein (PV) preoperatively, which may cause intraoperative accidental complications. The purpose of this study is to establish a simple and reliable method of detecting a common trunk in preoperative computed tomography (CT) images. METHODS: A total of 428 patients who underwent thin-section CT preoperatively for left lung cancer at 4 institutions were reviewed. The characteristic findings of a common trunk in the axial view were considered by confirming the preoperative CT findings of cases that had been verified to have a common trunk based on intraoperative findings. The CT images were reviewed independently by two evaluators. RESULTS: We found that the distance between the mediastinal side of the left lower bronchus and the junction of two left PVs was extremely short in the cases with a common trunk in the axial view. In a typical case, the axial section of the bronchus is close to the junction. Of the 416 patients that were evaluable among the 428 total patients, 26 (6.3%) were diagnosed as having a common trunk by both evaluators, and the diagnosis was coincident in 413 patients (99.2%). We were able to evaluate the surgical videos of 16 of the 26 patients, and a common trunk was confirmed in 15 patients (94%). CONCLUSIONS: We established a simple and reliable method of detecting a common trunk of the left PV in the axial view on chest CT that was routinely performed prior to lung cancer surgery.

Talc pleurodesis for secondary pneumothorax in elderly patients with persistent air leak.

BACKGROUND: We herein report the usefulness of two types of talc pleurodesis for secondary pneumothorax of elderly patients with persistent air leak who have severe pulmonary emphysema. METHODS: We assessed 17 elderly patients with persistent air leak who received talc pleurodesis for secondary pneumothorax from April 2013 to March 2017. Thoracoscopic talc poudrage (TTP) (n=11) was performed in patients whose general condition was thought to sufficiently stable to tolerate for general anesthesia. Talc slurry pleurodesis (TSP) (n=6) via a chest tube was performed in patients whose general condition was thought to be insufficiently stable to tolerate general anesthesia. RESULTS: The median drainage period after pleurodesis was 6 days in patients who received TTP and 12 days in patients who received TSP. Complications associated with talc pleurodesis included atrial fibrillation (n=1) in the thoracoscopic poudrage group, while the slurry pleurodesis group showed chest pain (n=2), asthmatic attack (n=1), and pneumonia (n=1). All patients who received thoracoscopic poudrage were able to leave the hospital after removal of the chest tube. Five of the six patients who received slurry pleurodesis were able to leave the hospital, but one of them died of acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia (IP) on the 45th day after pleurodesis. The success rate was 94% (16/17). There were no cases of recurrence during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: TTP was deemed likely to be safe and effective for patients able to tolerate general anesthesia. In patients with IP, especially those treated with steroids, the indication of talc pleurodesis should be cautiously considered.

EGFR Mutation status in Japanese lung cancer patients: genotyping analysis using LightCycler.

PURPOSE: Recently, somatic mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene were found in approximately 25% of Japanese lung cancer patients. These EGFR mutations are reported to be correlated with clinical response to gefitinib therapy. However, DNA sequencing using the PCR methods described to date is time-consuming and requires significant quantities of DNA; thus, this existing approach is not suitable for a routine pretherapeutic screening program. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We have genotyped EGFR mutation status in Japanese lung cancer patients, including 102 surgically treated lung cancer cases from Nagoya City University Hospital and 16 gefitinib-treated lung cancer cases from Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center. The presence or absence of three common EGFR mutations were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR with mutation-specific sensor and anchor probes. RESULTS: In exon 21, EGFR mutations (CTG --> CGG; L858R) were found from 8 of 102 patients from Nagoya and 1 of 16 from Kinki. We also detected the deletion mutations in exon 19 from 7 of 102 patients from Nagoya (all were deletion type 1a) and 4 of 16 patients from Kinki (one was type 1a and three were type 1b). In exon 18, one example of G719S mutation was found from both Nagoya and Kinki. The L858R mutation was significantly correlated with gender (women versus men, P < 0.0001), Brinkman index (600 < or = versus 600, P = 0.001), pathologic subtypes (adenocarcinoma versus nonadenocarcinoma, P = 0.007), and differentiation status of the lung cancers (well versus moderately or poorly, P = 0.0439), whereas the deletion mutants were not. EGFR gene status, including the type of EGFR somatic mutation, was correlated with sensitivity to gefitinib therapy. For example, some of our gefitinib-responsive patients had L858R or deletion type 1a mutations. On the other hand, one of our gefitinib-resistant patients had a G719S mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Using the LightCycler PCR assay, the EGFR L858R mutation status might correlate with gender, pathologic subtypes, and gefitinib sensitivity of lung cancers. However, further genotyping studies are needed to confirm the mechanisms of EGFR mutations for the sensitivity or resistance of gefitinib therapy for the lung cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation in non-small cell lung cancer using highly sensitive and fast TaqMan PCR assay.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations have been found in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with good clinical response to gefitinib therapy. A quick and sensitive method with large throughput is required to utilize the information to determine whether the molecular targeted therapy should be applied for the particular NSCLC patients. Using probes for the 13 different mutations including 11 that have already been reported, we have genotyped the EGFR mutation status in 94 NSCLC patients using the TaqMan PCR assay. We have also genotyped the EGFR mutations status in additional 182 NSCLC patients, as well as 63 gastric, 95 esophagus and 70 colon carcinoma patients. In 94 NSCLC samples, the result of the TaqMan PCR assay perfectly matched with that of the sequencing excluding one patient. In one sample in which no EGFR mutation was detected by direct sequencing, the TaqMan PCR assay detected a mutation. This patient was a gefitinib responder. In a serial dilution study, the assay could detect a mutant sample diluted in 1/10 with a wild-type sample. Of 182 NSCLC samples, 46 mutations were detected. EGFR mutation was significantly correlated with gender, smoking status, pathological subtypes, and differentiation of lung cancers. There was no mutation detected by the TaqMan PCR assay in gastric, esophagus and colon carcinomas. TaqMan PCR assay is a rapid and sensitive method of detection of EGFR mutations with high throughput, and may be useful to determine whether gefitinib should be offered for the treatment of NSCLC patients. The TaqMan PCR assay can offer us a complementary and confirmative test.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: efficacy of T2 and T3 ganglion resection.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy has been considered an effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. However, the extent of resection has not been determined in terms of efficacy and complications. We compared the efficacy and complications of 2-ganglion and single-ganglion resection in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis. METHODS: From 1995 to 2000, 75 patients underwent resection of thoracic ganglion T2 and T3. From 2000 to 2003, 67 patients underwent resection of only the T2 ganglion. Eighty of the 142 patients (56%) answered a detailed questionnaire, the results of which were analyzed. RESULTS: Gender, age, family history, and distribution of sweating were similar in both groups. Recurrence rates 1 and 2 years after endoscopic thoracic ganglionectomy were between 0% and 3% in T2 and T3 resection, and between 15% and 19% in T2 resection only. In the combined T2 and T3 resection group, 100% of patients noticed compensatory sweating; in T2 resection, 90% of patients noticed compensatory sweating. As for rates of satisfaction, T2 and T3 resection was superior to T2 resection. CONCLUSIONS: High recurrence rates of palmar hyperhidrosis after single-ganglion resection are reported in the present study. Two-ganglion resection is a superior surgical method to prevent recurrence of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Successful treatment of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the left main bronchus.

Here, we report the successful treatment of a 40-year-old man with mucoepidermoid carcinoma that originated in the proximal end of the left main bronchus close to the carina. He underwent wide and deep airway wedge resection, including the distal trachea and part of the carina via left postero-lateral thoracotomy. He has demonstrated neither anatomic complications nor disease recurrence 2 years after the operation.

Endostatin gene transfection using a cationic lipid: advantages of transfection before tumor cell inoculation and repeated transfection.

Intravenous endostatin gene transfection results in tumor suppression in a murine pulmonary metastasis model. We transfected the endostatin gene at different times, in order to achieve an optimal protective effect. pST2-Endo encoding murine endostatin was injected in a complex with cationic lipid. Pulmonary metastases were caused by intravenous injection of murine fibrosarcoma cells. Mice were observed for 14 days following fibrosarcoma cell inoculation (FSI). In the study groups, the animals were transfected with pST2-Endo at three different times: 2 days before and 3 and 7 days after FSI. In the group transfected with pST2-Endo 2 days before FSI, the weights of the lungs and tumor-occupied area ratio were significantly less than in the other groups. Significant inhibition of tumor neovascularization was documented by means of CD31 immunohistochemistry. The effect of repeated endostatin transfection on survival after FSI was determined. Animals repeatedly transfected with the endostatin gene survived significantly longer than the groups treated with a single endostatin gene transfection. A stable endostatin-expressing fibrosarcoma transfectant was created and tested for migration and invasion. Compared with controls, endostatin expression reduced migration and invasion by 15%. It is concluded that endostation gene transfection before FSI and repeated transfection thereafter results in significant tumor suppression.

Arg and DAP3 expression was correlated with human thymoma stage.

Thymoma is one of the most common solid tumors in the mediastinum. As there is no typical cell line for human thymoma, the development and use of molecular-based therapy for thymoma will require detailed molecular genetic analysis of patients' tissues. The recent reports showed that the gain of chromosome 1q regions was frequent in thymoma. We investigated the use of oligonucleotide arrays to monitor in vivo gene expression levels at chromosome 1q regions in the early- (stage I or II) and late-stage (stage IVa) thymoma tissues from patients. These in vivo gene expression profiles were verified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using LightCycler for 36 thymoma patients. Using both the methods, candidate genes were come up. These are Arg tyrosine kinase and death-associated protein 3 (DAP3), which are known as ionizing radiation resistance conferring proteins. The Arg/GAPDH mRNA level in stage IV thymoma (90.716 +/- 177.851) was significantly higher than in stage I thymoma (10.335 +/- 25.744, P = 0.0465). The DAP3/GAPDH mRNA level in stage IV thymoma (17.424 +/- 20.649) was significantly higher than in stage I thymoma (5.184 +/- 3.878, P = 0.0305). DAP3 expression was also correlated with the WHO classification. The combined use of oligonucleotide microarray and real-time RT-PCR analyses provided a candidate molecular marker surrounding the development and progression of thymoma correlated with chromosome 1q.

The expression of Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-x, Bax, Bak and Bim) in human lymphocytes.

Bcl-2 family proteins regulate programmed cell death, and may play an important role in the selection of lymphocytes. We investigated the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-x, Bax, Bak and Bim in human lymphocytes using flow-cytometry. Bcl-2 was down-regulated in CD4(+)8(+) (DP) thymocytes and CD19(+)38(+) tonsillar lymphocytes (GC B cells). Among DP thymocytes, cells co-expressing CD69 up-regulated Bcl-2, suggesting that the role of Bcl-2 is promoting survival of positively selected DP cells. Unexpectedly, the expression level of Bcl-x was higher in DP cells than in Single Positive (SP) cells and in CD69(+) DP thymocytes it was lower than in CD69(+) DP thymocytes. Expression of Bim was low in DP thymocytes but high in a subset of GC B cells. Bim and Bax were expressed more highly in SP than in DP thymocytes. Among peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), CD8(+) T cells expressed an approximately ten-fold higher level of Bcl-x than CD4(+) T cells while both subsets expressed similar levels of Bcl-2. Bak expression was low and Bim expression was absent in PBL. These results suggest that not only Bcl-2 but other members of the Bcl-2 family are involved in T cell development in the thymus and affinity maturation of B cells in the germinal center.

Developmentally regulated expression of survivin in the human thymus.

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor-of-apoptosis (IAP) family. It has been reported to be expressed during development, but not in differentiated normal tissue. However, its expression has been reported to be high in the thymus. To assess the role of survivin in human thymocyte development, we investigated the expression of survivin using reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry in freshly isolated human thymocytes. Survivin was expressed in all thymocyte subsets but its expression level was developmentally regulated. Its expression was low in the double negative (DN) thymocytes, upregulated in double positive (DP) thymocytes, and was highest in the T-cell receptor(high), late DP thymocytes; it was then downregulated in the single positive thymocytes and negative in the peripheral blood T cells. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the expression of survivin and that of CD69 and Bcl-2 in DP thymocytes. These results suggest that survivin may play an important role in the T-cell development in the human thymus.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 7 in tumor cells correlates with the World Health Organization classification subtype and clinical stage of thymic epithelial tumors.

To investigate the roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in thymic epithelial tumors, we examined the expression of MMP-2, -7, and -9; membrane-type 1 (MT1)-MMP; and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in 57 tumors by immunohistochemistry and in selected 15 cases by in situ hybridization. The tumors consisted of 5 type A, 12 type AB, 11 type B1, 11 type B2, 9 type B3, and 9 type C thymomas according to the World Health Organization histologic classification system and of 22 stage I, 13 stage II, 8 stage III, and 14 stage IV thymomas according to the Masaoka staging system. In the positive cases, MMPs and TIMP-2 were expressed in both tumor cells and stromal cells. The cellular localization of MMPs detected by immunohistochemistry was almost identical with that of the mRNA signals detected by in situ hybridization. MMP-2 and MMP-7 were predominantly expressed in type B3 thymoma and type C thymoma, respectively. Expression of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 correlated with that of MMP-2, indicating a proteolytic activation of the latter. MMP-9 was prominent in type B2 thymoma. Expression in tumor cells of MMP-2 or MMP-7 was also correlated with clinical stage. The present study suggests that certain MMPs may play an important role in the tumor progression of different subtypes of thymic epithelial tumors and that MMP-2 and MMP-7 may contribute to the tumor aggressiveness and malignant potential.

Histone deacetylase 1 mRNA expression in lung cancer.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a crucial role in tumorigenesis, however, the expression status of HDACs in lung cancer tissues has not been reported. We have investigated that HIDAC 1 mRNA levels and other clinico-pathological data, including MTA 1 mRNA expression in lung cancer. The study included 102 lung cancer cases. The HDAC1 mRNA levels were quantified by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using LightCycler (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, Mannheim, Germany). The HDAC1/GAPDH mRNA levels were not significantly different in tumor tissues from lung cancer (30.654 +/- 33.047) and adjacent non-malignant lung tissues (18.953 +/- 56.176 , P = 0.1827). No significant difference in HDAC1/GAPDH mRNA levels was found among age, gender, and lymph node metastasis. The HDAC1/GAPDH mRNA levels were significantly higher in stage III or IV lung cancer (50.929 +/- 120.433) than in stage I lung cancer (11.430 +/- 25.611, P = 0.0472). HDAC1/GAPDH mRNA levels were significantly higher in T3 or T4 lung carcinoma (54.326 +/- 127.018) than in T1 or T2 lung cancers (14.790 +/- 48.670, P = 0.1601). HDAC1/GAPDH mRNA levels were correlated with MTA1/GAPDH mRNA levels (y = 0.0106x + 2.5827 , P = 0.0352 ). HDAC1/GAPDH mRNA levels were also correlated with HDAC1 protein (P = 0.0484) expression by immunohistochemistry. Using the LightCycler RT-PCR assay, the HDAC1 gene expression might correlate with progression of lung cancers. However, further studies are needed to confirm the impact of HDAC1 for the molecular target of the lung cancer.