vv Archives of Pulmonology and Respiratory Care DOI CC By 025 Citation: Blanco R, Rengifo CE, Domínguez E, Blanco D, Cedeño M, et al. (2017) Mucin Production Correlates with Dual Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Its Ligand the Epidermal Growth Factor in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Arch Pulmonol Respir Care 3(2): 025-031. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17352/aprc.000020 Clinical Group Abstract Introduction: Mucoproduction plays an important role in the processes of tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mucins hypersecretion has been associated with alterations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. However, the relation of mucins with EGFR in these tumors is not completely clarified. Aims: To evaluate the relation between mucoproduction, the expression of EGFR and its ligand the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in NSCLC samples. Materials and Methods: A number of 71 routinely processed formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded archival samples with diagnosis of NSCLC were used. Mucoproduction was considered when periodic acid- Schiff reaction (PAS) positive and/or alcian blue positive substances were observed. The immunolocalization of EGFR and EGF molecules were detected by mean of immunohistochemical methods. Chi-square test was applied to compare two or three different parameters. In all cases, the criterion for statistical significance was p < 0.05. Results: The production of mucins was related with the occurrence of metastasis (p = 0.0151) as well as, with a more advanced stage of NSCLC disease (p = 0.0409). The presence of mucin was statistically significant associated to histology (p < 0.0001) and degree of cytological atypia (p = 0.0325). The expression of EGFR was associated with mucin hyperproduction (p = 0.0205). The levels of mucin production was statistical significant increase in NSCLC samples displaying double expression of EGFR and EGF (p = 0.0297) when compared with EGFR-/EGF+ and EGFR-/EGF-. Conclusions: The results obtained in the present work could support the role of uncontrolled EGFR system activation mediated by the ligand EGF in NSCLC mucins hyperproduction as well as its relation with tumor progression and metastasis processes. Research Article Mucin Production Correlates with Dual Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Its Ligand the Epidermal Growth Factor in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Rancés Blanco 1* , Charles E Rengifo 2 , Elizabeth Domínguez 3 , Damián Blanco 4 , Mercedes Cedeño 1 and Enrique Rengifo 1 1 Laboratory of Recognition and Biological Activity Assays, Cuba 2 Department of Pathology, Manuel Fajardo General Hospital, Zapata and D Street Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, 10400 Havana, Cuba 3 Laboratory of Biochemistry, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, PO Box 16040, 11600 Havana, Cuba 4 Department of Cell Biology and Tissues Banking, National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, 10400 Havana, Cuba Dates: Received: 18 February, 2017; Accepted: 19 April, 2017; Published: 20 April, 2017 *Corresponding author: Rancés Blanco Santana, PhD, Laboratory of Recognition and Biological Activity Assays, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, PO Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba, Tel: (537) 2717933-3464; Fax: (537) 2720644; E-mail: rances@cim.sld.cu Keywords: Non-small cell lung cancer; Clinic-patho- logical features; Mucin production; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Epidermal growth factor https://www.peertechz.com Abbreviations AB: Alcian Blue Stain; ABC: Avidin Biotin Complex; BAC: Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma; DAB: 3,3-Diaminobenzidine; EGF: Epidermal Growth Factor; EGFR: Epidermal Growth; Factor Receptor; HE: Hematoxylin And Eosin Staining; HRP: Horse-Radish Peroxidase; Mab: Monoclonal Antibody; MAPK: Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase; L MUC: Mucin; NSCLC: Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer; PAS: Periodic Acid-Schiff Stain; SCLC: Small-Cell Lung Cancer Introduction Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of death from cancer worldwide [1]. There are two main variant of the disease, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), but, NSCLC constitute about 80-85% cases of all lung carcinomas [2,3]. Most of NSCLC patients have a poor prognosis because most of them present with advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. It has been estimated that only 10-15% of the patients will ultimately be cured [4].