BACKGROUNDSYBR Green I is a non-probe real-time PCR method. It is quite convenient and its specificity is good. The aim of this study is to establish a quantitative SYBR Green I real-time PCR method for detection of PEDF gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to investigate the relationship between PEDF mRNA expression and the clinicopathological characteristics.

METHODSThe target segments of PEDF and GAPDH proliferated by RT-PCR were diluted and used as the standard templates. PEDF mRNA was detected in 21 NSCLC tissues and matched paracancerous pulmonary tissues by relative quantitative method.

RESULTSAll the lung cancer tissues and the matched paracancerous pulmonary tissues had expression of PEDF mRNA. The relative level of PEDF mRNA expression was 0.5505±0.3590 (0.11-1.11) in the lung cancer tissues and 0.7219±0.2582 (0.29-1.31) in the matched paracancerous pulmonary tissues respectively (P=0.024). PEDF expression was significantly related to TNM stages (I-II vs III-IV, P=0.010) and the tumor size (T1 vs T2-4, P=0.007).

CONCLUSIONSThe established SYBR Green I quantitative real-time PCR method can successfully detect the expression of PEDF mRNA. The primary results show that PEDF may be a protective factor in oncogenesis and development of NSCLC.