Expression of Lewis-related antigen and prognosis in stage I non—small cell lung cancer

Immunohistochemical expression of Lewis y, sialyl Lewis x, and sialyl Lewis a were examined in relation to blood vessel invasion and prognosis in 133 patients with stage I non—small cell lung cancer who had a curative resection from 1980 to 1991. Expression of sialyl Lewis x in adenocarcinomas was higher than in squamous cell and large cell carcinomas, and Lewis y immunoreactivity was the highest among the three antigens. The frequency of blood vessel invasion was significantly higher in tumors with expression of Lewis y or sialyl Lewis antigen (sialyl Lewis x or sialyl Lewis a), however, Lewis y expression was even more significant. The postoperative survival was significantly shorter when tumors expressed both the Lewis y and sialyl Lewis antigen. However, the survival of patients with either Lewis y or sialyl Lewis antigen expression was similar to that of patients whose tumors did not express either the Lewis y or sialyl Lewis antigens. These results suggest that Lewis y and sialyl Lewis antigen may be of prognostic value for metastatic potential but have different functional roles in tumor cells.