Clinical significance of co-expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in non-small cell lung cancer

摘要

Objective To investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) expression, VEGFR-3 expression, lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Seventy-six NSCLC samples were stained for VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and CD34 with immunohistochemical methods. Assessment of lymphatic vessel density ( LVD) and microvessel density ( MVD) was performed. The expressions of VEGF-C in 24 fresh NSCLC samples were determined with Western blot assay. Results Of the 76 NSCLC cases, 55 were VEGF-C positive and 40 were VEGFR-3 positive in cancer cells. A significant positive correlation was found between VEGF-C expression and VEGFR-3 expression in cancer cells ( P < 0.05) . VEGF-C expression was negatively associated with differentiation of tumor cells (P<0.05). VEGF-C expression and VEGFR-3 expression were positively associated with lymph node metastasis and lymphatic invasion (P<0.05). LVD was positively related to VEGF-C expression, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion and clinical stage ( P < 0. 05). There was a significant correlation between LVD and MVD ( R = 0.732, P < 0.05). Patients with positive VEGF-C expression had worse outcomes than those with negative VEGF-C expression (P< 0.01). Conclusions In NSCLC, VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 are related to the lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis, and occurrence and development of lung cancers. VEGF-C expression could be a useful predictor of poor prognosis in NSCLC.