RESUMEN
The objective of this study was to examine cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis in pathologically unchanged lung and in non-small cell lung cancer with the use of appropriate markers. The material studied included samples of pathologically unchanged lung (n=80) and those obtained at operations in 237 cases of non-small cell lung cancer. Immunohistochemical methods were used to demonstrate Ki-67, topoisomerase IIalpha (TopoIIalpha), p53, bcl-2, bax, CD34 and podoplanin. Argyrophilic proteins associated with nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NOR proteins), were detected by impregnation with silver nitrate. The quantitative data were obtained and the peculiarities of the expression of markers associated with proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis in pathologically unchanged lung were determined. In the alveoli, the labeling index of Ki-67 and Topolla was less than 1%, AgNOR area index was equal to 1.31 +/- 0.20; p53, bcl-2, bax expression was absent, density of blood vessels was equal to 86 (73-102), while lymphatic vessels were absent. In the bronchus, the labeling index of Ki-67 and TopoIIalpha were respectively 4 (1-8) and less than 1%, AgNOR area index--1.85 +/- 0.24, bax expression--100%, density of blood and lymph vessels--22 (17-31) and 4 (2-7) respectively; p53 and bcl-2 expression were absent. The results were compared with the expression of markers in non-small cell lung cancer. This comparison has fundamental and differential diagnostic value in the study of histopathological lung material. The expression of markers associated with proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis changes from pathologically unchanged lung to non-small cell lung cancer.