Interleukin-17 levels correlate with poor prognosis and vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in the serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical role of serum interleukin-17 in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and method: IL-17 expression and microvessel density (MVD) were measured via immunohistochemistry in 58 NSCLC tissues. Serum IL-17 and VEGF levels in NSCLC patients (n = 43) and healthy controls (n = 37) were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum IL-17 was elevated and the levels positively correlated with VEGF concentration in NSCLC patients. Multivariate analyses revealed that serum IL-17 levels were an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC. Conclusion: IL-17 may play a role in NSCLC progression by promoting angiogenesis.