CXC chemokine ligand 4 (CXCL4) is predictor of tumour angiogenic activity and prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing surgical treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of CXC chemokine ligand 4 (CXCL4) plasma levels with tumour angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to assess association of CXCL4 with clinical outcomes.


METHODS
Fifty patients with early stage NSCLC who underwent pulmonary resection. CXCL4 levels were analysed by ELISA. Angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and microvessel density (MVD) count.


RESULTS
There was positive correlation between MVD and CXCL4 levels. Patients with higher CXCL4 levels had worse overall and disease-free survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma levels of CXCL4 are associated with tumour vascularity. Increased CXCL4 levels in NSCLC patients undergoing treatment may indicate active cancer-induced angiogenesis associated with relapse and worse outcome.
a Department of Thoracic Surgery , Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital , Riga , Latvia ;
Artjoms
A
Spaks
b Department of Pathology , University of Latvia , Riga , Latvia ;
Darja
D
Svirina
c Department of Molecular Biology , Riga Stradins University , Riga , Latvia ;
Irina
I
Spaka
d Department of Clinical Immunology , Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital , Riga , Latvia ;
Inta
I
Jaunalksne
a Department of Thoracic Surgery , Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital , Riga , Latvia ;
Donats
D
Breiva
a Department of Thoracic Surgery , Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital , Riga , Latvia ;
Ilmars
I
Tracums
e Department of Vascular Surgery , Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital , Riga , Latvia ;|f University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine , Riga , Latvia.
Dainis
D
Krievins
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D010978:Platelet Factor 4
Angiogenesis; CXC chemokine ligand 4; chemokines; non-small cell lung cancer; platelet factor 4