[Expression and prognostic value of VEGF-C and lymphangeogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma]

Lymphatic vessel density as a prognostic indicator in Asian NSCLC patients: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To determine the association of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) with the prognosis of Asian non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients via a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Eligible studies were selected by searching PubMed and EMBASE from inception to July 25, 2017. The reference lists of the retrieved articles were also consulted. The information was independently screened by two authors. When heterogeneity was significant, a random-effects model was used to determine overall pooled risk estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies with 1075 patients were finally included in the meta-analysis. LVD was positively associated with the prognosis of NSCLC in the overall analysis (hazard ratio (HR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.02-1.27, p = 0.000, I² = 73.2%). Subgroup analyses were performed on 5 VEGFR-3 groups (p = 0.709, I² = 0.0%), 3 LYVE-1 groups (p = 0.01, I² = 86.4%), 5 D2-40 groups (p = 0.019, I² = 66.2%), and 2 podoplanin groups (p = 0.094, I² = 64.5%). Sensitivity analysis indicated robust results. There was no publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

LVD is an indicator of poor prognosis in Asian NSCLC patients.

[Prognostic value of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel invasion in non-small cell lung cancer]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Studies have shown that tumor metastasis in a variety of tumors is associated with lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI). Tumor metastasis is an important factor that affects the prognosis of patients. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of lymphangiogenesis and LVI in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

We marked the endothelial cells of lymph vessels in lymphangiogenesis with specific monoclonal antibody D2-40. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of lymphangiogenesis and LVI in 79 cases of stage I-III NSCLC.

RESULTS

The intratumoral lymphatic vessel density (ITLVD) was significantly higher in patients with N2 disease than those with N0 disease (P=0.015). The ITLVD was significantly higher in patients with LVI+ than that in those with LVI- (P = 0.009). The ITLVD was also remarkably higher in poorly differentiated tumors than that in highly differentiated ones (P = 0.007). The ITLVD was remarkably higher in adenocarcinoma than that in squamous cell carcinomas (P = 0.025). Kaplan-Meier revealed that the survival rates of patients with higher ITLVD were remarkably poorer than those with lower ITLVD (P = 0.007). Thus, the ITLVD is an important prognostic factor of NSCLC. The peritumoral lymphatic vessel density is not correlated with the prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The ITLVD level is an important prognostic factor of NSCLC.

[Correlation between podoplanin-positive lymphatic microvessel density and CT characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer]

背景与目的

现有的研究表明：肺癌微淋巴管密度（lymphatic microvessel density, LMVD）与淋巴结转移密切相关，但与肺癌多层螺旋CT（multi-slice spiral computed tomography, MSCT）的影像学改变的相关性尚不十分清楚。本研究通过podoplanin标记非小细胞肺癌患者手术标本微淋巴管并计数LMVD，观察患者肺癌病灶MSCT表现。

方法

对34例非小细胞肺癌术前行MSCT检查，收集相关临床病理结果；评价MSCT表现（包括边缘形态、内部结构、邻近结构的CT征象）；免疫组织化学SP法检测肿瘤组织中心区、周边区的LMVD。

结果

MSCT表现有棘状突起、胸膜凹陷征和癌性淋巴管炎的患者，其肺癌切除标本周围区LMVD均高于无上述表现者（P均 < 0.05）。

结论

MSCT出现棘状突起、胸膜凹陷征或癌性淋巴管炎表现提示更高的肿瘤淋巴管生成水平，具有更高的淋巴结转移风险。