title: [Expression of erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor in non-small cell lung cancer and its correlation with microvessel density].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) are expressed in many kinds of tumors. The EPO/EPO-R signaling is involved in tumor cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to detect the expression of EPO-R in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and explore its correlation with angiogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression patterns of EPO and EPO-R in 31 cases of NSCLC tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, and that in benign lung lesions of 21 patients as control. To analyze the correlation of EPO/EPO-R expression patterns and clinicopathological factors. CD34 was used to label the vascular endothelial cells and calculate the microvessel density (MVD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive rates of EPO and EPO-R expression in NSCLC were 67.7% and 96.8%, respectively, significantly higher than those in the control ones. The positive rates of EPO and EPO-R expression in adjacent tissues were 19.4% and 35.5%, and in benign lesions were 9.5% and 19.0%, respectively (P < 0.001). The expression patterns of EPO/EPO-R were not related with pTNM stage, histological type, histological grade and lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). Increased MVD was correlated with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and advanced stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High expression of EPO/EPO-R in NSCLC patients suggest that they may be involved in tumorigenesis. EPO/EPO-R expression and MVD are closely related, and they might be an endogenous stimulant of angiogenesis during the progression of non-small cell lung cancer. It may provide evidence for clinical diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: The First Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Ting-ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin; D004921:Erythropoietin