Vinculin expression in non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the expression of vinculin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to analyze its correlation with clinical features and prognosis of NSCLC. METHODS: The expression of vinculin in cancer tissues and paracancer tissues was detected by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Correlations between vinculin-positive expression and clinical features were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, and those between vinculin expression and prognosis were analyzed by Cox multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Vinculin expression was significantly lower in cancer tissues than in paracancer tissues. Pearson correlation analysis showed that vinculin expression was significantly correlated with tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. Cox multivariate analysis showed that vinculin-negative expression and TNM stage were independent risk factors for NSCLC prognosis. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 20.51% for all NSCLC patients, and was significantly higher for vinculin-positive patients with NSCLC than vinculin-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Vinculin gene transcription is inhibited in NSCLC, and low vinculin expression promotes malignancy in NSCLC. Therefore, vinculin could be used as a prognostic marker for NSCLC and a potential target for its treatment.