Peroxiredoxins tied to lung cancer progression

Peroxiredoxins effect cell proliferation and protection, and appear to have a role in lung tumor progression, Finnish researchers report in the September 10th issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

“Peroxiredoxins may have potential effects on the growth and invasion of lung tumor cells,” senior investigator Dr. Vuokko L. Kinnula told Reuters Health. Moreover, “some peroxiredoxins were found to correlate with tumor grade.”Peroxiredoxins participate in cellular antioxidant defense and increase drug resistance in cultured cells, Dr. Kinnula of the University of Helsinki and colleagues note. They therefore examined the presence of all six members of the peroxiredoxin family in tissue samples from 92 lung cancer patients. The samples consisted of 45 squamous cell carcinomas, 32 adenocarcinomas 9 small cell and 6 other carcinomas.Peroxiredoxins I, II, IV and VI were particularly elevated in lung carcinoma and peroxiredoxins I and IV were significantly elevated in tumors compared to nonmalignant tissue.There was great variation in expression in various tumor types. Peroxiredoxin IV expression was mainly associated with adenocarcinomas, elevated peroxiredoxin VI expression was associated with high-grade squamous cell carcinoma, and peroxiredoxin II with advanced tumor stage.Dr. Kinnula added that “it can be hypothesized that these proteins may also increase tumor resistance to oxidant-generating drugs, but this effect needs further investigation.”(Source: Int J Cancer 2004;111:514-521: Reuters Health News: Oncolink: David Douglas: September 2004.)