Lung cancer biomarkers
Find the right cancer biomarker for your research using our cancer immunohistochemistry (IHC) guide to lung cancer.
Download the complete Cancer biomarkers guide here.
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, accounting for approximately one-third of cancer-related deaths. The diagnosis of different lung cancers relies heavily on the use of IHC-based diagnostic tests and continued research into lung cancer biomarkers that can be used in IHC.
An increasing number of antibodies are available for detecting lung cancer-specific biomarkers used to determine different types of lung cancer and their cells of origin. These different cancer types include adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Here, we look at some of the most common primary IHC markers for lung cancer and metastatic markers for lung cancer. We also provide recommendations for specific biomarker antibodies for use in IHC.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor
Alternative names AHR, dioxin receptor
Gene name AHR
AHR is a transcription factor highly expressed in bronchial epithelial cells where it affects cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell-cell adhesion. It plays a key role in diseases such as bronchitis and asthma, but it is also strongly implicated in the progression of lung cancer. It does this through the promotion of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and apoptosis. AHR expression is also linked with smoking-related tumors as it may upregulate CYP1A1 releasing harmful factors into the lung tissue. It is, therefore, a marker of poor prognosis for lung cancer patients.
IHC stain (marker localization): Cell membrane
We recommend
References
View 1 reference for Aryl hydrocarbon receptor
PD-L1
Alternative names Programmed death-ligand 1, cluster of differentiation 274, CD74, B7 homolog 1, B7-H1
Gene name CD74
PD-L1 is a transmembrane protein that acts by inhibiting T cell activation and proliferation. PD-L1 protein detection by IHC testing is widely used as a predictive biomarker assay for anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapies for several cancer types, including lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 75% of all lung cancers, and approximately 50% of NSCLC cases will have the expression of PD-L1 in histology carried out on patient biopsies, making it a strong biomarker for this cancer type.
IHC stain (marker localization): Cell membrane
Figure: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human lung cancer tissue stained for PD-L1 using ab205921. Reproduced under Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Nakamura et al PLoS One. 2017; 12(10): e0186192. Published online 2017 Oct 19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.018619 IHC stain (marker localization): Cell membrane Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-PD-L1 antibody [28-8] (ab205921)
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-PD-L1 antibody [28-8] (ab205921)
References
PD1
Alternative names PD-1, cluster of differentiation 279, CD279
Gene name PDCD1
Programmed death-1 receptor is the receptor to transmembrane ligand PD-L1 (above) and is found to be expressed on the surface of T-cells. Tumors use this PD-1/PD-L1 interaction to evade and suppress the immune response. These interactions are commonly seen in NSCLC as described above for PD-L1. Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 drug, is approved for use in squamous NSCLC.
IHC stain (marker localization): Cell membrane
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-PD1 antibody [CAL20] (ab237728)
References
Surfactant protein A
Alternative names SPA
Gene name SFTPA1
SPA is a large protein expressed within the alveoli cells of the lung and is responsible for fighting infectious disease and reducing alveoli surface tension. SPA is also a biomarker used to detect adenocarcinoma in the lung. It is thought to be a marker of good prognosis as SPA is known to reduce tumor progression in the lung by recruiting natural killer cells to the site of the tumor.
IHC stain (marker localization): Secreted protein within the extracellular space
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-ALK antibody [SP144] (ab183332)
References
View 1 reference for Surfactant protein A
SOX2
Alternative names SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2
Gene name SOX2
SOX2 is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the developing embryonic lung. It is also important for the formation of the proximal airways, where it is used as a marker of proliferation and lung stem cells. It is also found to be overexpressed in over 80% of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), a type of NSCLC. It is, therefore, commonly used as a marker of lung cancer cells derived from this squamous cell lineage.
IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear
Figure: Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human lung carcinoma tissue sections labeling SOX2 with ab93689 at 1:100. The negative control used PBS instead of the primary antibody. Sections were counterstained with hematoxylin. IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-SOX2 antibody [SP76] (ab93689)
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-SOX2 antibody [SP76] (ab93689)
References
MET
Alternative names MET proto-oncogene, Hepatocyte growth factor receptor, HGF
Gene name MET
The MET proto-oncogene is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor and its signaling cascade is involved in proliferation, apoptosis, and cellular migration. It also plays a role in the progression of NSCLC. Overexpression of MET in NSCLC leads to misregulation of proliferation and cell migration, leading to a more aggressive cancer.
IHC stain (marker localization): Cell membrane
Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-Met (c-Met) antibody [EP1454Y] - N-terminal (ab51067)
Figure: Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded human bladder carcinoma with purified ab51067 at a working dilution of 1/100. The secondary antibody used is HRP goat anti-rabbit IgG H&L (ab97051) at 1/500. The sample is counterstained with hematoxylin. IHC stain (marker localization): Cell membrane Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-Met (c-Met) antibody [EP1454Y] - N-terminal (ab51067)
We recommend
References
FAS
Alternative names Fas, Cell Surface Death Receptor, apoptosis antigen 1, APO-1
Gene name FAS
Fas is a death receptor expressed on the cell surface which mediates apoptosis. Misregulation of apoptosis in normal cell types can lead to the progression of cancer. (FasL the FAS ligand) overexpression has been shown as a prognosis of advanced cancer stage in NSCLC.
IHC stain (marker localization): Secreted protein and cell membrane
Figure: Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue labeling CD95 with ab133619 antibody at a dilution of 1/250. IHC stain (marker localization): Secreted protein and cell membrane Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-Fas antibody [EPR5700] (ab133619)
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-Fas antibody [EPR5700] (ab133619)
References
GSTP1
Alternative names Glutathione S-transferase pi 1
Gene name GSTP1
GSTP1 is an enzyme responsible for breaking down toxic compounds. In the lung, GSTP1 is highly expressed and is known to carry out the metabolism of carcinogens carried into the lung through smoking. Certain variants of GSTP1 are used as markers of lung cancer prognosis. The Ile105Val variant is associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer and a reduction in mortality from the disease.
IHC stain (marker localization): Cytoplasm
Figure: Immunohistochemistry (Formalin/PFA-fixed paraffin-embedded sections) analysis of human tonsil tissue sections labeling GST3 / GST pi with Purified ab138491 at 1/100 dilution (0.99 µg/mL). IHC stain (marker localization): Cytoplasm Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-GST3 / GST pi antibody [EPR8263] (ab138491)
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-GST3 / GST pi antibody [EPR8263] (ab138491)
References
Ki67
Alternative names Antigen Kiel 67, Ki-67, MKI67, marker of proliferation Kiel 67
Gene name MKI67
Ki67 is an essential protein involved in cell division and is commonly used as a marker of cellular proliferation. IHC staining for Ki-67 is a commonly used method for evaluating proliferative activity in various tumor types, including lung tumors. Studies suggest a key role of Ki-67 as a prognostic marker of NSCLC.
IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear
Figure: IHC image of an ab15580-stained human skin carcinoma FFPE section. The section was pre-treated using pressure cooker heat-mediated antigen retrieval with sodium citrate buffer (pH6) for 30 seconds at 125°C. It was then incubated with ab15580 at a dilution of 1:200 for 1h at room temperature and detected using an HRP conjugated polymer system. IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-Ki67 antibody [SP6] (ab16667)
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-Ki67 antibody [SP6] (ab16667)
References
MCM7
Alternative names mini-chromosome maintenance 7
Gene name MCM7
MCM7 is a chromosomal maintenance protein important during the cell cycle and has been associated with various cancer types, including lung cancers. Both MCM7 and ki67 (the proliferation marker) are highly expressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. Both are associated with a poor prognosis for the disease. MCM7 can also be used as an IHC biomarker from bronchial brushing.
IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear
Figure: Immunohistochemistry (Formalin/PFA-fixed paraffin-embedded sections) analysis of human tonsil tissue sections labeling MCM7/PRL with purified ab52489 at 1/50 dilution (5.4 µg/mL). Perform heat-mediated antigen retrieval using ab93684 (Tris/EDTA buffer, pH 9.0). ImmunoHistoProbe one-step HRP Polymer (ready to use) was used as the secondary antibody. IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear Recommended IHC antibody: Recombinant Anti-MCM7/PRL antibody [EP1974Y] (ab52489)
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-MCM7/PRL antibody [EP1974Y] (ab52489)
References
ASCL1
Alternative names Achaete-scute complex 1
Gene name ASCL1
ASCL1 is a transcription factor necessary for neuroendocrine lung development and the growth of both SCLC and NSCLC. It acts as a marker of poor prognosis in NSCLC and looks promising as a potential druggable target for the treatment of NSCLC.
IHC stain (marker localization): Mitochondrion outer membrane. Peroxisome membrane. Microsome membrane. Endoplasmic reticulum membrane.
Figure: Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human lung small cell carcinoma tissue labeling MASH1/Achaete-scute homolog 1 with ab213151 at 1/1000 dilution, followed by Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG H&L (HRP) at 1/500 dilution.
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-MASH1/Achaete-scute homolog 1 antibody [EPR19592] (ab213151)
References
C-reactive protein
Alternative names CRP
Gene name CRP
Increased levels of CRP are an indication of inflammation. It is commonly seen to be expressed in lung cancer patients who smoke. Smoking leads to chronic lung inflammation and the upregulation of several inflammation response genes , including CRP. Expression of CRP is a marker of lung squamous cell carcinomas and small-cell cancers but not adenocarcinoma of the lung.
IHC stain (marker localization): Secreted protein
We recommend
Recombinant Anti-C Reactive Protein antibody [Y284] (ab32412)
References
View 1 reference for C-reactive protein
MCM6
Alternative names mini-chromosome maintenance 6
Gene name MCM6
MCM6 is a chromosomal maintenance protein important for the cell cycle and mitosis and has been associated with increasing the metastatic potential of various cancer types, including lung cancers. It has been shown to be expressed in around 50% of NSCLC patient samples, and high expression levels of MCM6 are linked to a poor prognosis of this disease. Its expression is also seen to be higher in patients who smoke.
IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear
Figure: Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded Human tonsil tissue labeling MCM6 with ab201683 at 1/4000 dilution, followed by Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG H&L (HRP) (ab97051) secondary antibody at 1/500 dilution. IHC stain (marker localization): Nuclear Recommended IHC antibody: Anti-MCM6 antibody [EPR17686] (ab201683)
We recommend
Anti-MCM6 antibody [EPR17686] (ab201683)
References
References
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor
PD-L1
PD1
Surfactant protein A
SOX2
MET
FAS
GSTP1
Ki67
Chirieac LR. Ki-67 expression in pulmonary tumors Transl Lung Cancer Res 5 (5),547-551 (2016)