OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD44v6 in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

METHODSThe expression of VEGF and CD44v6 in 35 cases I approximately II stages, 27 cases III approximately IV stages and 50 cases with the metastasis of lymph nodes, 12 cases without metastasis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) tissues were studied by SP immunohistochemistry staining, and the 3 years survival rates were calculated in 42 cases patients.

RESULTSThe positive rates of VEGF and CD44v6 in NSCLC were 73% and 69%, respectively. They were both higher than those of matched normal lung tissues, P < 0.01. The expression of VEGF and CD44v6 were related to clinical stages and metastasis of lymph nodes significantly. The expression rates of the two markers in NSCLC with the metastasis of lymph nodes were higher than those without metastasis, chi(2) = 7.146 and 5.376 respectively, and those of III approximately IV stages were higher than those of I approximately II Stages, chi(2) = 6.392 and 12.152 respectively. Survival rates of three years were lower to those patients with positive expression of the two makers than those with negative expression. In a multivariate analysis, besides TNM stages and metastasis of lymph nodes, the positive expression of CD44v6 and the positive expression of VEGF were also the independent prognostic factors to affect the Survival time.

CONCLUSIONThe VEGF and CD44v6 protein may act as one of important indexes to indicate the process of infiltration and metastasis in NSCLC.