Vascular endothelial growth factor promotes hematogenous metastasis of cancer cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Dong, Q.; Feng, J.; Huang, J.; Bao, G.; Sha, H.; Gu, W.
Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi 24(2): 142-146
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3766 PMID: 12015035 Document Number: 543902
Objective: To evaluate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the hematogenous metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The identification of lung cancer cells in the peripheral blood were carried out by cytological, immunohistocytological and immunofluorecent stains respectively, following isolation of cytokeratin-expressing cells with magnetic activated cell sorting. The quantification of cancer cells in the blood was performed according to the established flow cytometric assay. The plasma VEGF was measured by commercially available ELISA kit. Results: The lung cancer cells in the blood, showing a remarkable nuclear polymorphism, expressed the epithelial marker cytokeratin and telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). These cells were stained positive by an NSCLC-specific monoclonal antibody S5A10-2, but negative by antibodies against CD34 and CD45 antigens. Using the flow cytometric assay, 44 cases(28.6%)of 154 NSCLC patients were found to have cancer cells in their blood, with the incidence of positive cases correlated with the stage of disease. The plasma VEGF level was significantly increased in NSCLC patients in comparison with healthy individuals and patients with benign pulmonary diseases. This level was correlated with the stages of disease in patients with adenocarcinoma. In patiens with cancer cells in their blood, a higher level of plasma VEGF was related with an increased number of cancer cells. Conclusion: The plasma VEGF level is increased in NSCLC patients with approximately one fourth to have cancer cells in the peripheral blood. In these patients, increased VEGF level promotes hematogenous tumor metastasis, as indicated by a much higher number of cancer cells in the blood.