Prognostic significance of NDRG2 combined with EGFR patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Abstract Background: N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) plays a substantial role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation could significantly improve prognosis in patients with LUAD. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the prognostic value of NDRG2/EGFR in patients with LUAD. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were conducted to detect the expression levels of NDRG2 protein. Associations between NDRG2/EGFR expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with LUAD were examined as well. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were tested prior to treatments. Patients’ overall survival (OS) was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was carried out to investigate the effects of patients’ demographic characteristics on overall survival . Results: The expression of NDRG2 was significantly decreased in patients with LUAD. The expression of NDRG2 was positively correlated with the levels of CEA and EGFR. Advanced stages were significantly associated with low expression of NDRG2. We found that the patients in the NDRG2-high/EGFR(+) group had the best outcomes, while the patients in the NDRG2-low/EGFR(-) group had the worst outcomes. Cox regression analysis showed that NDRG2-low/EGFR(+), NDRG2-high/EGFR(+), and vascular invasion were independent prognostic factors of LUAD. Conclusion: NDRG2 and EGFR should be considered in patients with LUAD.