The relationship of clinical classification to ras p21 expression in human non-small cell lung cancer.

The relationship of tumor size, status of disease in the TNM classification, and stage of disease to ras oncogene expression was studied in human non-small cell lung cancer materials immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibody rp-35 against ras 21. Materials of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma obtained from primary sites larger than 30 mm in diameter exhibited intensely positive reactions with rp-35 significantly more frequently than those with primary sites, 30 mm in diameter or smaller (p less than 0.01). Furthermore in the TNM classification, cases with T2 (with primary sites larger than 30 mm in diameter) or T3 (with direct extension to adjacent structures) showed significantly higher reaction with rp-35 than those with T1 (with primary sites 30 mm in diameter or smaller) (p less than 0.01), although N and M status did not correlate with ras p21 expression. These results suggest that ras oncogene may play a significant role in growth or tumorigenesis at the primary site in human non-small cell lung cancer.