Correlation Between The Expression Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor And Its Receptor KDR And Angiogenesis In Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and its receptor KDR ( kinase domain receptor) in NSCLC (human non-small cell lung cancer)tissues their relations with MVD (microvascular density) in cancer tissues and with the biological behaviour and prognosis of NSCLC.MethodsThe specimens were from 16 benign tumor-like pulmonary lesions and 62 NSCLC patients who were diagnosed pathologically and operated in the cardio-chest surgical department in our hospital from Mar, 1999 to Mar, 2000. Expression of KDRmRNA was evaluated by in situ hybridization(ISH). Immunohistochemical S-P technique was used to detect the expression of VEGF protein. Microvessel density was assessed by immunostaining for factor CD34 related antigen.Results( 1 ) In the 62 pulmonary cancer tissues, VEGF was expressed in 46 cases(74.29%),mainly located at cytoplasm or the membrance of lung cancer cells; KDR mRNA was expressed in 49 cases(79.03%), located in the vascular endothelial cell of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)tissues and in the cytoplasm or the membrance of the NSCLC cell;(2)Both VEGF and KDR were well correlated with lymph node metastasis state (P<0.01, P<0.05)and clinical pathological stage(P<0.01, P<0.05);The microvascular density(MVD) was significantly greater in VEGF and KDR mRNA positive expression groups than that in negative groups (P<0.01);(3)42 follow-up data among the 62 patients were complete with 10 cases whose life span were more than 5 years and the other 32 cases less than 5 years. The expression of MVD,VEGF and KDR mRNA were significantly different in the two groups (P<0.01; P<0.01 ;P<0.05);the expression VEGF and KDR mRNA was postively correlated(r=0.278, P=0.029).Conclusions(1) The expressions of VEGF and KDR were more highly expressed in NSCLC than in benign tumor-like tissues, and they were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis state and clinical pathological stage(all P<0.01). In additon , the MVD was significantly greater in VEGF and KDR mRNA positive group than that in negative group(P<0.01.The expression VEGF and KDR mRNA was postively correlated(r=0.278, P=0.029). Thus VEGF can promote the angiogenesis of NSCLC through the mediation of KDR. VEGF and KDR can be used as a major parameter for detecting biological behavior and prognosis of NSCLC to judge the angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis from lymph node and prognosis of NSCLC. And VEGF/KDR can be used as the new target for the treatment of NSCLC.(2) The expressions of VEGF and KDR mRNA are well correlated with the 5-year survival rate . VEGF and KDR can be used to assess the prognosis of NSCLC patients.