Expressions of VEGF and MMP-2 in human non-small cell lung cancer and the relationships between VEGF and MMP-2 and tumor angiogenesis

Objectives: To investigate the expression and distribution of VEGF, MMP 2 in human non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),and to evaluate the relationship between the expressions of VEGF and MMP 2 and tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Methods:The expression of VEGF, MMP 2 and MVD in 95 patients with NSCLC were examined using immunohistochemical methods (S P), and the relationships between them and many clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. Results:The positive rates of VEGF and MMP 2 in NSCLC were much higher than those in the normal lung tissues nearby ( P 0.01 ). The positive expressions of VEGF and MMP 2 were associated with MVD and lymph node metastases of NSCLC( P 0.05). The positive expression of VEGF was associated with TNM stage ( P 0.01 ). Conclusions: The results suggested that VEGF, MMP 2 may play an important role in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis of human NSCLC, and detection of VEGF and MMP 2 may be good metastasis and prognostic predictors for human NSCLC.