Expression and Signifi cance of Cancer Stem Cell Markers CD133, CD44, SOX2, OCT4 and ALDH1 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective To investigate the expression and signifi cance of cancer stem cell markers CD133, CD44, SOX2, OCT4, ALDH1 in non-small cell lung carcinoma( NSCLC) and to look for cancer stem cells of NSCLC. Methods Seventy cases of NSCLC tissues and 14 cases of non cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry for CD133, CD44, SOX2, OCT4 and ALDH1. Results Seventy NSCLC tissues, The positive expression rates of CD133, CD44, SOX2, OCT4 and ALDH1 were 88.57%, 98.57%, 100%, 100% and 100%,respectively. And strong positive expression rates were 48.57%, 67.14%, 67.14%, 31.43% and 50% respectively. The expression rates of CD133 and CD44 were signifi cantly higher than those in non cancer tissues (P＜0.0001) ; The expression rates of SOX2, OCT4 and ALDH1 showed no significant difference between NSCLC and non cancer tissues (P>0.05). The expressions of CD133, CD44, SOX2, OCT4 and ALDH1 were increased along with the pathology grades. The expressions of CD133, SOX2 and OCT4 were signifi cantly higher in poor differentiated than those in the well differentiated (P=0.001,0.040 and <0.0001). The expression of CD133 was significant difference (P=0.033, 0.001, 0.033, 0.046, P<0.05 )in smoking history, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, staging factors. The expressions of CD44 and SOX2 were signifi cant difference in age (P=0.001,0.040). Conclusion The positive expression rates of CD133, CD44, SOX2, OCT4 and ALDH1 were increased,and CD133 and CD44 expressions in NSCLC were signifi cantly higher than those of non cancer tissue. CD133, SOX2 and OCT4 were associated with historical types and CD44 and SOX2 with ages.