EXPRESSION OF PLATELET-DERIVED ENDOTHELIAL-CELL GROWTH-FACTOR IN NONSMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMAS - RELATIONSHIP TO VARIOUS BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

The expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD- ECGF) was determined immunohistochemically in 143 non-small cell lung carcinomas. Staining was observed in 48% of the cases. A relationship between histology, stage, erbB-1, erbB-2, ms and PD-ECGF expression wa s not found. A relationship of borderline significance was observed be tween PD-ECGF and p53 expression. There was also no relationship betwe en PD-ECGF expression and proliferative activity (GI phases, S phases, cyclin A). In contrast, a correlation between PD-ECGF- and VEGF-expre ssion was detectable (p=0.009). Furthermore, PD-ECGF expression was re lated to the response of lung carcinomas to doxorubicin (p=0.0004). Of 35 sensitive tumors, 26 carcinomas were PD-ECGF-positive (74%) while of 108 resistant carcinomas only 43 tumors (40%) exhibited PD-ECGF exp ression.