Expression Analysis of Angiogenesis-Related Genes in Bulgarian Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Published in: Tumori 2011, Vol.97 (1), p.86-94
• Main Authors: Metodieva, Svetlana Nikolova, Nikolova, Dragomira Nikolaeva, Cherneva, Radostina Vlaeva, Dimova, Ivanka Istalianova, Petrov, Danail Borisov, Toncheva, Draga Ivanova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - genetics; Adenocarcinoma - secondary; Adult; Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Bulgaria; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - genetics; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secondary; Cell Adhesion Molecules - genetics; Chemokines - genetics; Cytokines - genetics; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Lung Neoplasms - genetics; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Neovascularization, Pathologic - genetics; Peptide Hydrolases - genetics; Pilot Projects; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Transcription Factors - genetics; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 0300-8916; 2038-2529
• DOI: 10.1177/030089161109700116

Aims and background Angiogenesis is a key process in the early stages of tumor development. In this study we aimed to evaluate the expression of a panel of angiogenesis-related genes in a group of Bulgarian patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and study design We analyzed the expression of 84 genes associated with the angiogenic process in 12 NSCLCs of two histological subtypes: 7 adenocarcinomas and 5 squamous cell carcinomas. Eight peripheral nontumorous tissues were used as controls. We performed real-time PCR on pathway-specific gene arrays (SABiosciences). Results Our pilot study identified upregulated genes in early-stage NSCLC including growth factors (TGFA and EFNA3), the adhesion molecule THBS2, cytokines and chemokines (MDK, CXCL9, CXCL10), and the serine protease PLAU. Several genes showed downregulation including one growth factor (FIGF), the receptors for growth factors TEK and S1PR1 as well as adhesion molecules (COL4A3 and CDH5), the cytokine IL6, the matrix protein LEP and the transcription factor NOTCH4. The study demonstrated deregulated genes specific for the two histological subtypes including the transcription factor HAND2, which was overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas but not adenocarcinomas. Conclusions Despite the limited number of patients, our results demonstrated the potential of angiogenesis-related genes as biomarkers in the early stages of NSCLC development. Free full text available at www.tumorionline.it