Relationship between Apoptosis and Fas/FasL Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Objective To study Fas/FasL expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma(NSCLC)and its association with apoptosis and clinicopathological characteristics. Methods Fas and FasL protein expression and apoptotic cells in situ in 45 NSCLC and 38 paracancerous tissues were detected using immunohistochemical staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL)technique. Results The AI in NSCLC was significantly lower than that in paracancerous tissues,and the AI of NSCLC was closely related to lymph node metastasis and TNM stages,but no close relation was observed among histological types,cell differentation and sex,age of patients.The AI in the Fas positive group was higher than that in the Fas negtive group. Conclusion The abnormal regulation of apoptosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.