The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C and its receptors in non-small cell lung cancer

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and that of its r eceptors were assessed in non-small cell lung cancer. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive VEGF-C expression in 38.7% (24/62) of the patients studie d. A significant positive correlation was found between VEGF-C in cancer ce lls and VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) in vascular endothelial cells, but not be tween VEGF-C in cancer cells and VEGFR-2 in endothelial cells. In this coho rt of lung cancer patients, VEGF-C expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic vessel invasion, and worse outcomes a fter the operation. Although the independent prognostic impact of VEGF-C an d VEGFR-3 was not clear, VEGFR-2 expression in endothelial cells retained t he independency as the prognostic indicator. In light of these findings, we conclude that VEGF-C plays an important role in lymphatic invasion/metasta sis and tumour progression in non-small cell lung cancer. (C) 2001 Cancer R esearch Campaign.