TTF-1 status in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma is an independent predictor of relapse and survival superior to tumor grading
Authors
- S. Schallenberg
- G. Dernbach
- M.P. Dragomir
- G. Schlachtenberger
- K. Boschung
- C. Friedrich
- K. Standvoss
- L. Ruff
- P. Anders
- C. Grohé
- W. Randerath
- S. Merkelbach-Bruse
- A. Quaas
- M. Heldwein
- U. Keilholz
- J.K. Hekmat
- C. Rückert
- R. Büttner
- D. Horst
- F. Klauschen
- N. Frost
Journal
- European Journal of Cancer
Citation
- Eur J Cancer 197: 113474
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) is a well-established independent prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), irrespective of stage. This study aims to determine if TTF-1's prognostic impact is solely based on histomorphological differentiation (tumor grading) or if it independently relates to a biologically more aggressive phenotype. We analyzed a large bi-centric LUAD cohort to accurately assess TTF-1's prognostic value in relation to tumor grade. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 447 patients with resected LUAD from major German lung cancer centers (Berlin and Cologne), correlating TTF-1 status and grading with clinical, pathologic, and molecular data, alongside patient outcomes. TTF-1's impact was evaluated through univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Causal graph analysis was used to identify and account for potential confounders, improving the statistical estimation of TTF-1's predictive power for clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed TTF-1 positivity associated with significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS) (median log HR -0.83; p = 0.018). Higher tumor grade showed a non-significant association with shorter DFS (median log HR 0.30; p = 0,62 for G1 to G2 and 0.68; p = 0,34 for G2 to G3). In multivariate analysis, TTF-1 positivity resulted in a significantly longer DFS (median log HR -0.65; p = 0.05) independent of all other parameters, including grading. Adjusting for potential confounders as indicated by the causal graph confirmed the superiority of TTF-1 over tumor grading in prognostics power. CONCLUSIONS: TTF-1 status predicts relapse and survival in LUAD independently of tumor grading. The prognostic power of tumor grading is limited to TTF-1-positive patients, and the effect size of TTF-1 surpasses that of tumor grading. We recommend including TTF1 status as a prognostic factor in the diagnostic guidelines of LUAD.