title: VEGF-C in non-small cell lung cancer: meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to clarify the prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a meta-analysis of relevant literature to aggregate the available survival results, using studies published in English until May 2013. Eligible studies dealt with VEGF-C assessment in NSCLC patients on primary lesions and reported survival data according to VEGF-C expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We aggregated 16 trials, comprising 1988 patients, in this meta-analysis. The overall combined hazard ratio (HR) was 1.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37-1.98) and was calculated using a random-effects model. It associated high VEGF-C expression with poor survival in all NSCLC patients, including those with stage I NSCLC and high VEGF-C expression (HR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.22-3.28). However, VEGF-C expression did not significantly correlate with survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.01-2.18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis shows that VEGF-C expression is associated with poor prognosis for NSCLC patients, including patients with stage I NSCLC. However, VEGF-C expression is not significantly correlated with survival for patients with lung ADC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Southeast University, 1-1 Zhongfu Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210003, PR China. Electronic address: gfdsa_1234567@sohu.com.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
keywords: Hazard ratio; Meta-analysis; Non-small cell lung cancer; Prognosis; Vascular endothelial growth factor C