SIRT6 expression is associated with poor prognosis and chemosensitivity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background Despite advances in the development of various therapeutic agents, non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with a poor prognosis. To improve the prognosis of patients with NSCLC, new therapeutic targets for overcoming drug resistance are required. The process of autophagy is required to support the tumorigenesis and drug resistance of cancer cells. We investigated the clinical significance of SIRT6, a member of the NAD+‐dependent deacetylase family, which regulates a variety of cancer‐related processes, including autophagy. Methods Immunohistochemistry analysis of SIRT6 expression and localization in 98 NSCLC clinical specimens and in vitro analysis using SIRT6‐knockout lung carcinoma cell lines were performed. Results Patients with high cytoplasmic expression and low nuclear expression of SIRT6 (n = 33) had more aggressive cancer, shorter overall survival, and shorter recurrence‐free survival than did patients with different SIRT6 expression profiles (P