Overexpression of EMMPRIN is associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Previous studies show that overexpression of EMMPRIN involved in the malignant biological behavior of tumors. This investigation was to disclose the expression status of EMMPRIN in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its clinical value for the diagnosis of NSCLC. METHODS: The expression of EMMPRIN was examined using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The clinical value of EMMPRIN was evaluated by drawing a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: NSCLC tissues and serum exhibited higher expression levels of EMMPRIN than the normal control (p < 0.05), and the expression of the EMMPRIN was significantly associated with lymphatic invasion and advanced stage of NSCLC (p < 0.05). ROC curve suggested that the threshold level of serum EMMPRIN for distinguishing NSCLC from control group was 80.3 pg/mL, and displayed a sensitivity of 97.22% and a specificity of 95%. And higher EMMPRIN expression in serum and tissues appeared to be risk factors for NSCLC development (risk ratio =1.56 and 1.1). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of EMMPRIN was associated with lymphatic metastasis and advanced stage of NSCLC and test of serum EMMPRIN contributes to the NSCLC diagnosis.