Eg5 expression is closely correlated with the response of advanced non-small cell lung cancer to antimitotic agents combined with platinum chemotherapy

SummaryBackgroundEg5 is a microtubule motor protein that functions in bipolar spindle assembly. We investigated the relationship between Eg5 expression and the response to chemotherapy of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Patients and methodsEg5 expression was investigated immunohistochemically in 122 formalin-fixed tumor samples from untreated stage IIIB or IV NSCLC patients. We also investigated cyclin B1 expression, which is involved in the G2/M transition. All patients received antimitotic agents combined with platinum chemotherapy. The response to chemotherapy was compared in relation to Eg5 and cyclin B1 expression and in relation to clinicopathological factors.ResultsThe response rate to chemotherapy of patients with Eg5-positive tumors was 37%, as opposed to 10% for patients with Eg5-negative tumors, and Eg5 expression was significantly associated with the response to chemotherapy (P = 0.002). The response rate of patients with cyclin B1-positive tumors (53%) was higher than that of patients with cyclin B1-negative tumors (23%) (P =&