Association of chromosome 11 locus D11S12 with histology, stage, and metastases in lung cancer

We have reported frequent allele loss for the marker D11S12 on chromosome band 11p15.5 in human lung cancer. The smallest common region of allele loss has been refined to approximately 500 kb and is confined between D11S1758 and D11S860. Here, we investigated the association of D11S12 allele loss with epidemiologic, pathologic, and clinical parameters. Analysis of allele loss was performed by Southern blotting on a cohort of 156 patients with lung cancer, and data were interpreted with the use of a phosphorimager. Results were statistically compared with retrospectively collected variables. D11S12 allele loss was found in 88% of small cell carcinomas, 57% of squamous cell carcinomas, and 40% of adenocarcinomas. Allele loss was associated with tumor stage (p = 0.04) and was more frequent in tumors that had already metastasized. These results suggest that a gene in the D11S12 region may be responsible for the metastatic potential of lung cancer. The functional status of this gene may thus be of future value in guiding clinicians on decisions regarding adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies for patients with lung cancer.