RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: This study's principal objective was to evaluate the critical role of the application of immunocytochemistry to a novel panel of diagnostic markers for the accurate detection of the source of malignancies in pleural effusions of lung adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 40 effusion smears from lung adenocarcinoma, the expression of the E-cadherin, a-catenin, Thyroid Transcription Factor (TTF-1), Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), p53, caspase 9 and 3, Bax and Bcl-2 was examined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: All cases showed positive immunoreactivity of tumour cells to caspase 3 (42,5%), caspase 9 (40%), Bcl-2 (30%), Bax (40%), p53 (55%), E-cadherin (82,5%), a-catenin (80%), TTF-1 (87,5%) and EGFR (62,5%). The Pearson's x2 analysis demonstrated a highly significant correlation to each of the other marker when analysed separately. Caspase 3 expression was correlated significantly with caspase 9 (p<0.0001), Bax (p=0.002), Bcl-2(p=0.014) and p53 (p=0.011). Caspase 9 was correlated with Bax (p=0.005) and p53 (p=0.047), p53 correlated with E-cadherin (p=0.011), a-catenin(p=0.011), EGFR (p<0.0001) and Bax (p=0.032). Correlation was also observed between Bcl-2 and Bax expression (p<0.0001), E-cadherin and a-catenin expression (p<0.0001) and a-catenin and TTF-1 expression (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a panel of biomarkers can be of great value in determining effusion immunoprofile in patients with lung adenocarcinoma for clinical application.
