Study of Tumor Samples From Patients With Lung Cancer

• Correlation of c-Met expression and and biomarkers with survival [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Correlation of c-Met expression and circulating c-Met and hepatocyte growth factor [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Prognostic implications of circulating markers [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Levels of circulating Met and HGF in serum before and after surgery (when available) [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

• Correlation of c-Met expression and epithelial mesenchymal transition, EGFR mutations and expression, K-ras mutations, and p53 mutations with survival [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Correlation of c-Met expression and circulating c-Met and hepatocyte growth factor [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Prognostic implications of circulating markers [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Levels of circulating Met and HGF in serum before and after surgery (when available) [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

RATIONALE: Studying samples of tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

PURPOSE: This laboratory study is looking at tumor samples from patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To determine the correlation between c-Met expression, mutation and amplification, with stage and overall survival in patients with adenocarcinoma (AC) of the lung.

Secondary

• To determine the correlation with epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), EGFR mutations and expression, Kras mutations, p53 mutations, c-CBL protein expression, mutation, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), DUB3 expression & regulation, and ALK translocation, with respect to survival.
• To determine the correlation with circulating c-Met and HGF in AC and evaluate prognostic implications of circulating markers in AC of lung.
• To determine (when available) levels of circulating Met and HGF in serum before and after surgery.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Previously collected tissue samples from patients enrolled in CALGB 140202 are assessed for mutation analysis of c-Met, EGFR, and K-ras. DNA is examined by PCR, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis; gene amplification of c-Met is examined by real time quantitative PCR; met/HF protein in serum is examined by ELISA; and c-Met, EGFR, p53, c-CBL, DUB3 enzyme, and ALK, and epithelial mesenchymal transition examined by IHC.

• Genetic: gene expression analysis
• Genetic: mutation analysis
• Genetic: polymerase chain reaction
• Other: immunoenzyme technique
• Other: immunohistochemistry staining method
• Other: laboratory biomarker analysis

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

  • Adenocarcinoma
• Enrolled in CALGB 140202
• Must have undergone surgical staging or resection of NSCLC tumor with adequate diagnostic biopsy specimens and corresponding blood samples available at a CALGB Lung Cancer Tissue Bank-approved institution
• Evaluable c-MET measures

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• No known infectious disease (e.g., HIV, tuberculosis, or hepatitis B or C)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified