Objective: LIN28A is implicated in stem cell pluripotency by blocking let-7miRNAs and Oct-4 is a transcription factor highly expressed in embryonic stem cells. The present study investigates the prognostic significance of both markers in lung adenocarcinomas. Method: We evaluated, by immunohistochemistry, LIN28A and Oct-4A expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 92 lung adenocarcinomas. Immunoreactivity was scored as 1+, <1 % positive tumor cells (ptc); 2+, 1-5 % ptc; 3+, 5-10 % ptc; and 4+, >10 % ptc and was compared with clinicopathologic features and overall survival. Results: Regarding LIN28A expression 23 % of tumors were recorded as 1+, 51 % as 2+, 14 % as 3+ and 12 % as 4+. The stratification for Oct-4 expression was 19 % (1+), 50 % (2+), 23 % (3+) and 8 % (4+). LIN28A and Oct-4 expression was not significantly associated with age, gender and tumor grade or stage. LIN28A 4+ expression predicted a shorter overall survival (P<0.05) on univariate analysis. Oct-4 was not associated with patients' prognosis. Cox multivariate analysis showed that age, TNM and LIN28A 4+ expression were independent prognostic factors of survival. Conclusion: LIN28Α expression appears to be an independent predictor of poor outcome in lung adenocarcinomas. Further studies are warranted in order to investigate its role in stratifying patients at increased risk for poor outcome.