Detecting mRNA Expression of LUNX Gene by RT-PCR in Lung Cancer Specimens of Iraqi Patients

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical significance of mRNA expression of lung-specific X protein (LUNX) in specimens obtained from Iraqi patients. In the present study, whole blood was isolated from 140 individuals distributed into four groups as follows; Group 1: 40 Samples from smoker patients affected by lung cancer, Group 2: 40 Samples from non-smoker patients affected by lung cancer, Group 3: 30 Samples from smokers apparently healthy individuals and Group 4: 30 Samples from nonsmokers apparently healthy individuals. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of LUNX in the peripheral blood were analyzed using reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR). The expressions of LUNX mRNA in these groups were 11.0 folds of that in group 1 compared with group 4, 10 folds of gene Expression in group 2 compared with group 4 and 3.0 folds of gene expression in group 3 compared with group 4, using GAPDH as Housekeeping Gene. Statistical results showed that there was a high correlation between the LUNX gene expression and lung cancer; where the correlation coefficient was 0.879 and a low correlation between LUNX gene expression and smoking; where the correlation coefficient was 0.446. The results indicate that the mRNA expression of LUNX could yield a first picture to the early detection of lung cancer in the peripheral blood and thus is of significant clinical value for the diagnosis of lung cancer.