High expression of TNFSF13 in tumor cells and fibroblasts is associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Objectives: To examine high expression of tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13 (TNFSF13), which is correlated with several malignancies. Methods: TNFSF13 messenger RNA expression in tumor cells and fibroblasts in a cohort of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray. Results: TNFSF13 expression was significantly higher in lung adenocarcinomas compared with squamous cell carcinomas (P = .022). High TNFSF13 expression in NSCLC stroma was related with low differentiation (P = .045) and sex (male > female, P = .005). Cox proportional hazards regression univariate and multivariable analysis revealed TNFSF13 expression in NSCLC tumor cells (P = .007) or fibroblasts (P = .027) as an independent prognostic factor in the 5-year overall survival rate. Conclusions: Our findings indicate TNFSF13 is a prognostic factor in NSCLC and suggest TNFSF13 may be a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC. © American Society for Clinical Pathology.