2025 Hot Topic in Basic & Translational Science: Small Cell Lung Cancer - ePosters-EP01.14: POU2F3 is a spatiotemporally permanent marker in small cell lung carcinoma

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The study conducted by Ildikó Krencz and colleagues from Semmelweis University investigates the expression stability of POU2F3 in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and compares it with other subtype markers like ASCL1 and NEUROD1. It aims to address the variability often seen in SCLC marker expression during disease progression. SCLC, a heterogeneous disease, is subclassified based on the expression of these transcription factors. POU2F3-positive SCLCs derive from chemosensory tuft cells, and this differentiation may provide stability to POU2F3 expression.<br /><br />The researchers analyzed 15 matched pairs of SCLC samples from primary and metastatic sites, employing immunohistochemistry to evaluate the markers. Additionally, they studied SCLC xenograft models (H1048 and H146) undergoing chemotherapy to assess how marker expression changes over time.<br /><br />Findings suggest that POU2F3 expression remains stable over time in POU2F3-positive tumors, contrasting with ASCL1 and NEUROD1 expressions which show variability during tumor progression. Among the sample pairs, three were POU2F3 positive and had consistent expression levels across different biopsies. In xenografts, despite chemotherapy-induced tumor size reduction, POU2F3 expression did not significantly alter, indicating its permanence.<br /><br />The study concludes that POU2F3 can serve as a reliable diagnostic marker for both primary and recurrent/metastatic SCLCs, even when other neuroendocrine markers are not present. This finding could be beneficial in overcoming diagnostic challenges in SCLC, where POU2F3-positive tumors might evade detection using current standard markers.<br /><br />Overall, the research underscores the potential utility of POU2F3 as a stable marker in SCLC, contrasting with the dynamic expression of ASCL1 and NEUROD1, and highlights its role in reliably identifying SCLC progression and helping guide therapeutic strategies.

Asset Subtitle

Ildiko Krencz

Keywords

POU2F3

small cell lung carcinoma

SCLC

ASCL1

NEUROD1

marker expression

immunohistochemistry

xenograft models

chemotherapy

diagnostic marker