Bronchial Epithelial Ki-67 Index Is Related to Histology, Smoking, and Gender, but Not Lung Cancer or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Smoking status, bronchial histology, and gender were significantly associated with Ki-67 index. No increase in Ki-67 index was found in the nonmalignant epithelium of patients with lung cancer or COPD. Although Ki-67 index may provide insight into the short-term effects of chemoprevention agents on cell proliferation, its lack of association with lung cancer or COPD raises question regarding its utility as a lung cancer risk biomarker.