In previous studies, TGFβ protein or gene expression analyses have revealed a large range of overexpression, from 18% to 87%, in NSCLC depending on the technique (protein or gene analysis) or cutoff.39, 48, 49, 50 The present study is, to our knowledge, the first to identify a correlation between TGFB1 overexpression and N+ status in NSCLC patients. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and non-small cell lung carcinoma.