Interrelation of Argyrophilic Proteins of Nucleolar Organizer Regions and Ki-67 with Clinical and Morphological Parameters and Survival in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Argyrophilic proteins associated with nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) and Ki-67 were studied at non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumors with low and high area index (AI) of AgNOR and label index (LI) Ki-67 were defined. AI AgNOR was related to the key clinical and morphological parameters in accordance with TNM system: values Т, N, greatest tumor dimension up to 3 cm and more, disease stage, histogenesis, and tumor differentiation. LI Ki-67 is related to the greatest tumor dimension up to 3 cm and more, disease stage, and tumor differentiation. NSCLC patients survival is longer in low AI AgNOR or LI Ki-67 tumors versus high AI AgNOR or LI Ki-67 tumors. NSCLC patients survival is longer in low AI AgNOR and LI Ki-67, shorter in high AI AgNOR and LI Ki-67, and intermediate in opposite AI AgNOR and LI Ki-67. Value N, greatest tumor dimension, histogenesis, AgNOR are independent predictors in NSCLC. NSCLC patients survival without metastases to lymph nodes is related to the greatest tumor dimension and in case of metastases it is related to AI AgNOR and greatest tumor dimension. Combined determination of AgNOR and Ki-67 has prognostic value at NSCLC.