Detection of lymphangiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer and its prognostic value

• Published in: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research 2009-02, Vol.28 (1), p.21-21, Article 21
• Main Authors: Sun, Jian-guo, Wang, Yan, Chen, Zheng-tang, Zhuo, Wen-lei, Zhu, Bo, Liao, Rong-xia, Zhang, Shao-xiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological markers; Biomarkers, Tumor - biosynthesis; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - blood supply; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - metabolism; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - pathology; Complications and side effects; Development and progression; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lung cancer, Non-small cell; Lung Neoplasms - blood supply; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymphatic Vessels - metabolism; Lymphatic Vessels - pathology; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins - biosynthesis; Middle Aged; Patient outcomes; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - biosynthesis; Prognosis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C - biosynthesis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 - biosynthesis; Vesicular Transport Proteins - metabolism
• ISSN: 1756-9966; 0392-9078; 1756-9966
• DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-28-21

Our aim was to detect lymphatic endothelial marker podoplanin, lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR)-3 and study the prognostic relevance of lymphangiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 82 paraffin-embedded tissues and 40 fresh frozen tissues from patients with NSCLC were studied. Tumor samples were immunostained for the lymphatic endothelial markers. Lymphangiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemical double stains for Podoplanin and Ki-67. The prognostic relevance of lymphangiogenesis-related clinicopathological parameters in NSCLC was evaluated. We found that the number of podoplanin positive vessels was correlated positively with the number of LYVE-1 positive vessels. Most of VEGFR-3 positive, few of LYVE-1 positive and none of podoplanin positive vessels were blood vessels. Peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (ptLVD), pathologic stage, lymph node status, lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI), vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression and Ki-67 index of the endothelium cells of the micro lymphatic vessels (Ki67%) were associated significantly with a higher risk of tumor progress. ptLVD, pathologic stage, lymph-node metastasis and Ki67% were independent prognostic parameters for overall survival. Podoplanin positive ptLVD might play important roles in the lymphangiogenesis and progression of NSCLC. Patients with high podoplanin+ ptLVD have a poor prognosis.