Piao L, et al. - In this study involving 75 cases of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), 20 cases adjacent normal lung tissues and NSCLC cell lines, researchers assessed leucine zipper-EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1) as a biomarker for prognostic assessment of NSCLC. A significant correlation of LETM1 expression with the lymph node metastasis and the clinical stage of NSCLC was found. Via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the researchers noted a shorter overall survival rate in patients with NSCLC and positive expression of LETM1. A correlation of LETM1 expression with cancer stemness-related gene LGR5 and HIF1α expression, but not with others, was also identified. A significantly higher microvessel density was detected in LETM1-positive NSCLC tissues vs in the negative ones. Overall, LETM1 was identified as a potential prognostic biomarker of NSCLC.