Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor receptors in lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of two angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR), in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in relation to tumor stage (TN0, TN1, TN2) and in association with the expression of p53 protein, a potential suppressor of tumor angiogenesis.


METHODS
The immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of VEGF and FGFR was examined in paraffin sections of 56 NSCLC in relation to the presence of lymph node metastases and p53 expression. Nodal status of NSCLC determined: 27 tumors, N0; 16, N1; and 13, N2 stage. Semiquantitative analysis with a score corresponding to IHC staining intensity and percentage of positive cells was used. Statistical analysis was performed with the chi 2 test.


RESULTS
A significant association was noted between VEGF and FGFR expression in NSCLC. No relation was found between VEGF, FGFR expression and lymph node metastasis or p53 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
We assume that VEGF and FGFR act in a synergistic manner in NSCLC and that their expression is not related to lymph node metastases. Angiogenesis is a very complex phenomenon and heterogeneous within tumors. Also, it is affected by microenviromental factors.
Slodkowska
J
J
Department of Quantitative Pathology, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
Sikora
J
J
Roszkowski-Sliz
K
K
Radomyski
A
A
Androsiuk
W
W
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2