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.