Triple-negative expression (ALDH1A1-/CD133-/mutant p53-) cases in lung adenocarcinoma had a good prognosis.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are major contributors to the malignant transformation of cells because of their capacity for self-renewal. Aldehyde dehydrogenase1A1 (ALDH1A1) and CD133 are promising candidate of CSC markers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, TP53 is frequently mutated in lung cancer, and the loss of its function is associated with malignant characteristics. However, the relationship between CSCs and mutant p53 in lung adenocarcinoma is not well-established. We examined the expression of ALDH1A1, CD133, and mutant p53 in lung adenocarcinoma patients and conducted a clinicopathological study. Triple-negative cases without ALDH1A1, CD133, and mutant p53 expression in lung adenocarcinoma were shown to have a much better prognosis than others. Our present results suggest that detection of CSC markers and mutant p53 by immunohistochemical staining may be effective in therapeutic strategies for lung adenocarcinoma.