Survival in small cell lung cancer is independent of tumor expression of VEGF and COX-2.
BACKGROUND
Preclinical data suggests that VEGF and COX-2 are potentially important mediators in the pathogenesis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Little is known about the frequency of tumor expression of VEGF and COX-2 in SCLC or the prognostic significance of this expression.


METHODS
Clinical records from 54 cases of SCLC were reviewed. Immunohistochemical stains for VEGF and COX-2 were performed on all tumor specimens.


RESULTS
Tumor VEGF expression was detected in 43 cases (81%) and COX-2 expression in 11 (20%). No significant association between VEGF or COX-2 expression and survival was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to assess the frequency and clinical significance of tumor VEGF and COX-2 expression in a large group of patients with SCLC. In this cohort, neither VEGF nor COX-2 expression impacted survival. The frequency of VEGF expression suggests that it merits further investigation as a therapeutic target in SCLC.
Dowell
Jonathan E
JE
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8852, USA. jonathan.dowell@utsouthwestern.edu
Amirkhan
Robin H
RH
Lai
Wen S
WS
Frawley
William H
WH
Minna
John D
JD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005047:Etoposide; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D002945:Cisplatin