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Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 80% of all lung cancers, and reliable biomarkers are desirable. The present investigation assesses our ability to identify tumor relevant proteins from NSCLC tissue interstitial fluid (TIF). Methods: Paired TIF was collected from three NSCLC patients at the time of surgery, and resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and in-gel digestion for proteomic analysis. Differentially expressed spots were extracted from the two-dimensional gel and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Then, ELISA was used to verify the expression of peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) in TIF of patients with NSCLC and benign lung disease. Finally, the relationship between expression of PRDX1 and clinicopathological features was determined. Results: Comparative proteomic analysis showed 24 protein spots were differentially expressed with significant changes, including 11 upregulated proteins and 13 downregulated proteins. Of these, PRDX1 was selected for validation in TIF by Western blot and expression of PRDX1 was confirmed to be upregulated in tumor TIF. It was also demonstrated that PRDX1 was significantly elevated in 40 NSCLC patients with a mean level of 36.0 ng/mL compared to 6.26 ng/mL from 20 patients with benign lung disease. A significant correlation was found between the high level of PRDX1 expression and lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation. Conclusions: PRDX1 might be correlated with lymph node metastasis and differentiation, and its elevated expression in TIF may be an adverse biomarker for patients with NSCLC. PRDX1 may be attributed to the malignant transformation of NSCLC, and attention should be paid to a possible target for therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary (HCO), a rare invasive malignant tumor composed mainly of epithelioid cells, presented with unilateral or bilateral ovarian masses and elevated serum α-fetoprotein (AFP), has been found mainly in post-menopausal women. We hereby report on the case of a 53-year-old Chinese woman who presented with abdominal distension and a lower abdominal mass with high serum levels of CA-125 and AFP. She was later diagnosed with bilateral HCO. After surgery and following chemotherapy, the patient had no recurrence of tumor or ascites. The hepatoid cells were positive for AFP, p53 and CK7 by immunohistochemistry. Her serum CA-125 and AFP levels had decreased significantly after surgery. Our results suggest that testing and monitoring of serum levels of AFP and CA-125 are considered as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and progression of this malignancy, and that tissue immunohistochemical staining for AFP, p53 and CK7, plays an important role in distinguishing HCO from other ovarian tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]