Identifying Early Lung Cancer Cells in Malignant Pleural Effusion Samples From Patients With Primary Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

- Isolate and identify lung cancer precursor cells in discarded pleural fluid specimens
obtained during routine thoracentesis procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of
malignant pleural effusions.

OUTLINE: Malignant pleural effusion specimens obtained from the Pathology Department at the
University Hospitals of Cleveland are analyzed using an immunomagnetic bead enrichment assay
to isolate cells of epithelial origin. The isolated cells are then stained with fluorescent
DNA binding dye, Hoechst 33342, and other markers (i.e., CD133, CD24/CD44) and sorted by
flow cytometry into progenitor and nonprogenitor subpopulations. The sorted subpopulations
are separated and examined functionally by in vitro and in vivo studies. Sphere culture
studies are also performed on the sorted subpopulations. The specimens may also be utilized
for transcriptional profiling studies, RNAi studies, and for the establishment of long-term
cultures and cell lines. DNA is also isolated and stored from tumor and nonepithelial normal
cell compartments for future genetic studies on known and unidentified genetic abnormalities
contributing to the development of lung cancer, such as EGFR, ErbB2, K-ras, and p53
mutational status.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Cytologically positive malignant pleural effusion secondary to primary small cell or
non-small cell lung cancer

- Recruited from the Division of Hematology/Oncology, the Multidisciplinary Thoracic
Oncology Group of Ireland Cancer Center, or the inpatient or outpatient units of Case
Medical Center-University Hospitals

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- Not specified