Expression signatures of metastatic capacity in a genetic mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the foremost cause of cancer-related death in Western countries, which is due partly to the propensity of NSCLC cells to metastasize. The biologic basis for NSCLC metastasis is not well understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we addressed this deficiency by transcriptionally profiling tumors from a genetic mouse model of human lung adenocarcinoma that develops metastatic disease owing to the expression of K-ras^G12D and p53^R172H. We identified 2,209 genes that were differentially expressed in distant metastases relative to matched lung tumors. Mining of publicly available data bases revealed this expression signature in a subset of NSCLC patients who had a poorer prognosis than those without the signature. Conclusions/Significance: These findings provide evidence that K-ras^G12D; p53^R172H mice recapitulate features of human NSCLC metastasis and will provide a useful platform on which to study the biologic basis for lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and its prevention by novel agents.