[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C and cyclooxygenase-2 in non-small-cell lung carcinoma and their clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins, and their relationship with biological behaviors of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 proteins in 77 cases of NSCLC. The relationship was analyzed between the expression of VEGF-C, COX-2 and lymphatic vessel density (LVD), tumor size, histological type, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical recurrence and survival time of the patients.


RESULTS
Out of 77 cases of NSCLC, 45 cases and 29 cases showed positive expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 proteins, respectively. The expression rates of VEGF-C and COX-2 protein were 58.4% and 37.7%, respectively. The expression of VEGF-C protein was correlated negatively with the degree of differentiation of NSCLC (P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF-C was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, LVD and tumor size (P < 0.01). The survival time of the patients was negatively correlated with the expression of VEGF-C (P < 0.01). The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with LVD (P < 0.01). The survival time of the patients was negatively correlated with the expression of COX-2 (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 proteins are closely correlated with the biological behaviors of NSCLC, especially VEGF-C protein. Its high expression suggests probable lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.
Zhang
Hui-zhong
HZ
The Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Hua
Ping
P
Li
Hai-gang
HG
Lü
Zhi-qiang
ZQ
Zeng
Yun-jie
YJ
Liu
Jin-geng
JG
Zeng
Hong
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2