BCL2 AND P53 REGULATE VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR (VEGF)-MEDIATED ANGIOGENESIS IN NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CARCINOMA

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of p53 and bcl 2 proteins in a series of 107 nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLC), and to relate such protein expression to neovascularisation and the expres sion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Moreover, we analys ed the prognostic impact of these biological parameters on overall sur vival, both in univariate and multivariate analyses. An inverse associ ation was found between bcl2 expression and microvessel count (MVC; P= 0.0004) and bcl2 and VEGF (P=0.007). In contrast, a significant associ ation was found between p53 expression and MVC (P=0.03) and p53 and VE GF expression (P=0.04). In univariate analysis, nodal status (P<0.0000 01), MVC (P<0.000001), bcl2 (P=0.002), p53 (P=0.03) and VEGF expressio n (P<0.000001) significantly affected overall survival, but in multiva riate analysis only MVC and VEGF expression retained their prognostic influence. Our results suggest that bcl2 and p53 possibly control the development of tumour angiogenesis in NSCLC, with putative mediation b y VEGF. Moreover, the important influence of angiogenesis in the progr ession of NSCLC is further highlighted. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.