VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR EXPRESSION AND ANGIOGENESIS IN NONSMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMAS

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a secreted endothelial-spec ific growth factor, and microvessel density was examined in 204 primar y non-small cell lung carcinomas. The expression of VEGF was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining using an anti-VEGF antibody. Positive staining was obtained in 125 out of 204 cases (61%). Tumor vascularit y was quantitatively assessed by microvessel counting after staining w ith the endothelial-specific marker factor VIII. The mean microvessel count for all patients was 9.6+/-10.4. Expression of VEGF was closely associated with increment of microvessel density. Postoperative follow -up of patients demonstrated a trend that survival time of patients wi th VEGF-positive tumors was worse than that of patients with VEGF-nega tive tumors. In contrast, microvessel density was not a prognostic fac tor.