Expression and Prognostic Impact of VEGF, CD31 and αSMA in Resected Primary Lung Cancers

Background/Aim: One of the most important factors concerning cancer growth is angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship of maturation of tumor vessels and prognosis of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical stainings of 125 lung cancers for VEGF, CD31 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA) were scored by multiplying the intensity and the frequency from 0 to 12. Results: Adenocarcinomas showed significantly higher staining scores of both VEGF and alpha SMA than squamous cell carcinomas did. In 42 cases of high CD31 score, five-year survival rate (87%) of patients with lung cancer showing mature tumor vessels was significantly better than that (69%) of patients with immature tumor vessels. Conclusion: Not the number of tumor vessels but their maturation may be a prognostic factor of patients with lung cancer. VEGF may not only stimulate proliferation of endothelial cells but also their maturation in differentiated lung cancers.