Expression and clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor in non-small cell lung cancer

Background and purpose:Both very important therapeutic targets of NSCLC,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR),are over expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).The aim of this study was to discuss the expression of VEGF and EGFR in NSCLC as well as its clinical significance.Methods:The expression of VEGF and EGFR was detected in 186 NSCLC samples using the immunohistochemical method.The expression of VEGF and VEGR in NSCLC patients with various pathological characteristics was observed and the correlation between them was analyzed.Results:The expression of VEGF in NSCLC was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P0.05).Gender of the patients,presence of smoking history,pathological types of cancers (squamous cell carcinoma vs adenocarcinoma),presence of lymph node metastasis,and TNM stages (P0.05).Lower expression of VEGF or EGFR was associated with better prognosis of patients (P0.05).The expression of VEGF was correlated with EGFR expression in pulmonary tissues of NSCLC patients (rs=0.161,P0.05).Conclusion:VEGF was correlated with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC.EGFR was over expressed even in patients without a smoking history,in pulmonary tissues of female NSCLC patients,and especially in adenocarcinoma.This over expression was correlated with presence of lymph node metastasis and TNM stages in NSCLC.Correlated VEGF and EGFR are over expressed in NSCLC tissues,this may serve as predicator for prognosis.