Analysis of Fas (Apo-1/CD95) expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

Defects in the apoptotic pathway represent a critical element in the progression of neoplastic disease and may also concur to determine treatment efficacy at the cellular level. Fas (Apo-1/CD95) is a cell-surface receptor involved in cell death signaling. In this study we analyzed, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of Fas protein in a group of 68 NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) specimens. Statistical analyses did not show any significant relationship between Fas immunohistochemical expression and clinical parameters of lung cancer patients, except for nodal status. Our data do not support the use of Fas as a molecular prognostic role in NSCLC. On the other hand, considering the role of the Fas-pathway in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, further studies are required to analyze the potential value of Fas expression in predicting the response of NSCLC patients to chemotherapy.