The metastasis of tumors through lymphatic vessels is an important adverse prognostic factor for human cancers. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancers, and usually occurs with metastasis at an early stage and has a poor prognosis. Lymphatic metastasis is the most common route of lung cancer metastasis, and it requires the interaction of multiple growth factors. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) are related to both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. This study aimed to explore PDGF-BB/PDGFR-β and its correlations with lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) and lymph node metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A total of 127 Chinese patients with NSCLC pathologically diagnosed from 2009 to 2013 were enrolled in the study. The expression levels of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-β were measured in all NSCLC tissues using immunohistochemical staining. Further, LMVD stained by D2-40 was evaluated, and the platelet (PLT) count was determined. The expression levels of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-β in the NSCLC tissues were 73.2% (93/127) and 78.0% (99/127) respectively in 127 patients. The expressions of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-β and LMVD were associated with TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and PLT (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but not with the patient's age, gender, histological type, histological grade, and tumor size (P > 0.05). It was therefore concluded that the expression levels of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-β in tumor cells were correlated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis in Chinese patients with NSCLC and may play a key role in the development of NSCLC.
Keywords: Lymphatic microvessel density; PDGF-BB; PDGFR-β; lymph node metastasis; non-small cell lung cancer; platelet count.
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