[Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor C and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) proteins and its relationship with the biological behaviors of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins in 42 cases of NSCLC tissues. The relationship of VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions was analyzed with the tumor size, lymphatic vessel density (LVD), histological type, differentiation, clinical recurrence, lymph node metastasis and patients' survival time.


RESULTS
Out of the 42 cases of NSCLC, 23 and 26 cases showed positive expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins, respectively, with the expression rates of VEGF-C and MMP-2 protein of 54.8% and 61.9%, respectively. VEGF-C expression was positively associated with LVD and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), and inversely with the differentiation of NSCLC and the patients' survival time (P<0.05). MMP-2 expression was positively associated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and inversely with the patients' survival (P<0.05). VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions was positively associated (r=0.469, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins are closely associated with the biological behaviors of NSCLC, and their high expression suggests probable lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.
Zhang
Hui-zhong
HZ
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. zhhzhgd@163.com
Wei
Yi-ping
YP
Li
Hai-gang
HG
Wang
Mei
M
Liu
Jin-geng
JG
Wu
Cheng
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2