[Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor C and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) proteins and its relationship with the biological behaviors of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins in 42 cases of NSCLC tissues. The relationship of VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions was analyzed with the tumor size, lymphatic vessel density (LVD), histological type, differentiation, clinical recurrence, lymph node metastasis and patients' survival time.

RESULTS: Out of the 42 cases of NSCLC, 23 and 26 cases showed positive expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins, respectively, with the expression rates of VEGF-C and MMP-2 protein of 54.8% and 61.9%, respectively. VEGF-C expression was positively associated with LVD and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), and inversely with the differentiation of NSCLC and the patients' survival time (P<0.05). MMP-2 expression was positively associated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and inversely with the patients' survival (P<0.05). VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions was positively associated (r=0.469, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins are closely associated with the biological behaviors of NSCLC, and their high expression suggests probable lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.