IMMUNO HISTOCHEMISTRY OF STEM CELL MARKER CD 133 AND SMOKING IN LUNG CANCER PATIENTS-A CORRELATIVE STUDY

Introduction: In India, lung carcinoma is the 5^th most common tumor and 2^nd most common tumor in males as per the ICMR [Indian Council of Medical Research] registry of 2002. In our Indian set up, smoking is still a leading cause of lung cancer and related morbidity and mortality. The role of many cancer stem cell markers like CD133, ALDH1, etc., is being investigated in the origin and prognosis of lung cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have gained increasing attention recently in cancer research. CSCs have the ability to generate new tumors through their stem cell properties, essentially self-renewal potential and differentiation into multiple cell lineages. Aim: we planned a study correlating Cancer stem cell marker CD133 with smoking in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients. Material and Methods: Lung biopsies of a total of 55 patients visiting Era’s Lucknow Medical College and hospital and King George Medical University, suspected to be suffering from lung cancer, were taken in this pilot study for a period of 18 months. Lung tissue fixed in 10% formalin processed in paraffin blocks, used for staining, Sigma for Haematoxylin and Eosin staining, and Protein Tech for Immunohistochemistry. A detailed history of tobacco exposure and smoking was taken, and the smoking index was calculated by using pack years. Result: No significant association was seen in the presence of CD133 and SI. However, an increasing trend was seen with CD133 presence and smoking. Conclusion: With a larger sample size, CD133 presence might correlate with exposure to smoking and hence impact the prognosis and origin of lung cancer.