CD133 is a promising candidate marker for cancer stem cells. However, clinical studies on CD133 expression in human lung adenocarcinoma have not yet been conducted. We hypothesized that CD133 expression in lung adenocarcinoma is a poor prognostic factor.

CD133 expression in lung adenocarcinoma was examined clinicopathologically. Then, clinicopathological parameters and patient prognosis were investigated. Moreover, CD133 expression was examined via immunohistochemical staining, and the relationship between CD133 expression and clinicopathological parameters was explored.

Approximately 48.0% (49/102) of patients had CD133-positive cells. Based on a subgroup analysis, the CD133-positive group with pStage I+II disease had a significantly worse disease-free interval than the CD133-negative group (p<0.05).

CD133 expression may be a poor prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma.