Abstract:

Objective To investigate the relationship between the tumorigenicity of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） tissue in a nude mouse model of patient-derived xenografts（PDX） and clinicopathological features of the primary tumor in the original patients. Methods A total of 15 NSCLC tissues were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice in order to assess their tumorigenicity，which was compared with the clinicopathologic features of the primary tumor. Expression of p63，cytokeratin 5/6 （CK5/6），thyroid transcription factor-1（TTF-1） and Ki-67 was detected by immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue from the original patients. Results Of the 15 NSCLC tissues transplanted into nude mice，6（40%） were tumorigenic. Tumorigenicity of the PDX model was related to TNM stage and tumor differentiation in the corresponding patients（P<0.05）. The rates of TTF-1 and Ki-67 expression in NSCLC tissue were significantly higher in the engrafted group than in the non-engrafted group （83% vs 22%，100% vs 22%，P<0.05），while the rate of p63 expression was significantly lower in the engrafted group （50% vs 100%，P=0.041）. Conclusions Expression intensity of p63，TTF-1，and Ki-67 in human NSCLC tissue correlates with its tumorigenicity in nude mice. Poorer differentiation of the primary tumor and more advanced stage correlate with greater tumorigenicity. 

Key words:  Lung neoplasms, Non-small cell lung cancer, Patient-derived xenografts, Immunohistochemical, Clinicopathological features