the -KTS-containing variants of WT1 are directly involved in the regulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression and the subsequent suppression of lymph node metastasis in human lung squamous cell carcinoma

Methylation of WT1 gene is significantly increased in non small cell lung cancer. Both histotype and exposure to cigarette smoke heavily influence the pattern of CpG islands which undergo hypermethylation.

WT1 overexpression is associated with the development and progression of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Results suggest that WT1 and c-MYC expression is important for survival in KRAS mutant tumors as opposed to KRAS wild-type non-small cell lung tumors.

Data reveal that MiR-193a directly targets WT1 and indirectly modulates E-cadherin and that overexpression of WT1 partially prevents miR-193a-induced inhibition of migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancers, suggesting that WT1 plays an important role in the anti-metastasis by miR-193a.

These results suggest a novel role for the embryonic mesothelium-derived cells in lung morphogenesis and involve the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene in the development of this organ.

Decreased WT1 expression induces cell death and potentiates the action of anticancer drugs by inducing synergistic effects both in vitro and in vivo, which may be an attractive strategy in lung cancer therapy.