Relationship between expression of VEGF-C and lymph node metastasis in human non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Background and objective It has been showed that VEGF-C can induce the proliferation of lymphocytes. The aim of this study is to explore the expression of VEGF-C in human non-small cell lung can-cer （NSCLC） and its relationship with lymph node metastasis. Methods The expression of VEGF-C was examined in 60 human NSCLC tissues by immunohistochemical technique. Results The positive rate of VEGF-C expression was 65.00% （39/60） in NSCLC tissues. The expression of VEGF-C was significantly higher in cases with lymph node metastasis （83.33%, 20/24） than in those without lymph node metastasis （52.78%, 19/36） （P < 0.05）. Conclusion There is an overexpression of VEGF-C protein in human NSCLC tissues, which may correlate with lymph node metastasis. The expression of VEGF-C protein might be used as a useful mar- ker of lymph node metastasis in NSCLC.

DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2006.06.08