Despite considerable advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, target therapy, and biological therapy, the prognosis for those with resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not substantially improved. It was recently reported that two receptors, Notch-1 and c-Met, correlate directly or indirectly with the initiation and development of malignant tumors, such as lung cancer; however, the prognostic value of coexpression of these receptors and their relationship in resected NSCLC was not clear. In this study, the expression levels of Notch-1 and c-Met in 117 patients with resected NSCLC were assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results showed that the positive expression rate of Notch-1 in total patients was 59.8 %. The positive expression rate of c-Met in the all population was 69.2 %. In addition, a significant positive association was shown between Notch-1 and c-Met (P < 0.001). Simultaneously, patients with coexpression of both receptors had a significantly poorer prognosis than those without coexpression (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that T stage (P = 0.016) and c-Met expression (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, coexpression of both receptors correlates with poorer prognosis in patients with resected NSCLC. Targeting both receptors simultaneously may prove a more effective antitumor strategy. Patients with coexpression of both receptors might benefit from cotargeting Notch-1 and c-Met.
Keywords: Immunohistochemistry staining; NSCLC; Notch-1; Prognosis; c-Met.