Expression of TRIM29 and its association with p40 and TTF1 in lung carcinoma.

[BACKGROUND] Lung cancer is a leading global cause of cancer-related mortality, with over 1.8 million deaths annually. Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the predominant subtype, further classified into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) based on immunohistochemical markers such as p40 and TTF1. TRIM29, a member of the TRIM protein family, has been implicated in various cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. This study evaluates TRIM29 expression and its correlation with p40 and TTF1 in NSCLC subtypes.

[MATERIALS AND METHODS] This prospective observational study included 45 core biopsy samples of lung carcinoma and was conducted over 18 months at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Immunohistochemical analysis of TRIM29, p40, and TTF1 expression was performed. TRIM29 expression was assessed semi-quantitatively, based on intensity and proportion scores.

[RESULTS] Of the 45 cases, 38 (84.4%) were NSCLC, and 7 (15.6%) were small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). TRIM29 expression was significantly higher in NSCLC compared to SCLC (p<0.001). Among NSCLC cases, TRIM29 positivity was observed in 86.9% of SCC cases and 30.8% of ADC cases (p=0.001). TRIM29 demonstrated a strong positive association with p40 (86.9%) and an inverse correlation with TTF1 (77.7%; p<0.0001).

[CONCLUSION] TRIM29 is a promising biomarker for NSCLC, particularly in differentiating SCC from ADC. Its strong association with p40, coupled with an inverse relationship with TTF1, enhances its diagnostic utility. Further studies are needed to explore its role in lung cancer pathogenesis and prognosis.