Neuroepithelial transforming gene 1 functions as a potential prognostic marker for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common histological cancer sub‑type worldwide. Neuroepithelial transforming gene 1 (Net-1), a Ras homolog family member A-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, has been shown to be upregulated in several human cancer types. However, the clinical significance of Net‑1 expression in NSCLC has remained elusive. The present study assessed Net‑1 mRNA and protein levels by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis of 64 cases of NSCLC as well as their adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, Net‑1 protein expression in tumor tissues derived from clinically annotated NSCLC cases at stages I‑III was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that Net‑1 mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC tissues were significantly elevated compared with those in their corresponding non‑tumor tissues. In addition, Net‑1 expression was strongly associated with the patients' pathological characteristics, including clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and differentiation degree (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that Net‑1 expression has a significant role in the tumorigenesis of distinct histotypes and sub‑types of NSCLC, and may therefore be utilized as a biomarker as well as an important therapeutic target in NSCLC.