[Expression of CD82/KAI1 and HIF-1α in non-small cell lung cancer and their relationship to vasculogenic mimicry].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), found in many high invasive ability tumors, is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Many genes exhibit abnormal levels of expression in these tumors. This study aims to find good markers for predicting the invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS: VM and expression of CD82/KAI1 and HIF-1α were examined via immunohistochemistry and histochemistry of 160 NSCLC and 20 normal lung tissue specimens.

RESULTS: In NSCLC, positive rates of 37.5%, 48.8%, and 36.9% were obtained for CD82/KAI1, HIF-1α, and VM, respectively. In normal lung tissue, positive rates of 95.0%, 0, and 0 were obtained for CD82/KAI1, HIF-1α, and VM, respectively. A significant difference was found between the NSCLC and normal lung groups (P<0.01). VM and the expression levels of CD82/KAI1 and HIF-1α were significantly related to tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical staging, and postoperative survival time (P<0.01 for all). A negative correlation was found between the expression levels of CD82/KAI1 and HIF-1α; a similar relationship was observed between CD82/KAI1 and VM. A positive relationship between the expression of HIF-1α and VM was revealed; there was a significant relationship between microvessel density (MVD) and the expression of CD82/KAI1 or HIF-1α or VM. VM and overexpression of HIF-1α were related to poor prognosis: the survival rates were significantly lower in positive patients than in negative patients (both P<0.01). The survival rates of the CD82/KAI1-positive and CD82/KAI1-negative groups were significantly different (P<0.01). The five-year survival rate was significantly different between the group with MVD≥22 and the group with MVD<22 (P<0.01). pTNM stage, positive expressions of CD82/KAI1 and HIF-1α, and VM were independent prognostic factors of NSCLC (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: VM and the expressions of CD82/KAI1 and HIF-1α in NSCLC are related to differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical staging, and prognosis. The combined detection of CD82/KAI1, HIF-1α, and VM has an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of NSCLC.