Abstract: Objective To detect the expressions of CXCR4 and Nrf2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and analyze
their association with the clinicopathological features of NSCLC. Methods We investigated the expressions of CXCR4 and Nrf2
in 66 NSCLC and corresponding distant normal tissue specimens using immumohistochemistry and real-time PCR. Results
The expressions of CXCR4 protein and mRNA were significantly higher in NSCLC tissue specimens than in the distant normal
tissues, while the expression of Nrf2 protein and mRNA increased significantly in NSCLC tissues compared to those in the
distant normal tissues (P<0.01). A high expression level of CXCR4 was positively correlated with a large tumor size (P=0.048),
poor differentiation (P=0.024), advanced TNM stage (P=0.018), lymph node metastasis (P=0.004), and distant metastasis (P=
0.016). The expression of Nrf2 protein was positively correlated with a large tumor size (P=0.008), advanced TNM stage (P=
0.028), lymph node metastasis (P=0.038), and distant metastasis (P=0.023). A strong correlation was found between CXCR4 and
Nrf2 expressions in NSCLC tissues (r=0.324, P<0.01), and the co-expression of CXCR4 and Nrf2 was strongly correlated with
lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Conclusion Abnormal expressions of CXCR4 and Nrf2 may contribute to the
progression and malignant biological behavior of NSCLC.