1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Korea University,Korea. 2Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Korea. 3Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In squamous cell carcinomas of the lung, the angiogenesis and the expression rates of metalloproteinase were measured to examine whether they can be useful as prognostic markers and therapeutic potentials.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The angiogenesis and the expression rates of metalloproteinase were analyzed by counting the number of microvessels and immunohistochemically positive cells of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in 54 squamous cell carcinoma, respectively.
RESULTS: Lymph node meatastasis group showed higher angiogenesis than non-metastasis one (p=0.008). Angiogenesis were elevated with increasing clinical stage. However, MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression rate as the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and the clinical stages were statistically insignificant, respectively. Angiogenesis failed to demonstrate any significant correlation with the expression rates of MMPs.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggests that angiogenesis level may provide informaton relevant to prognosis as well as treatment decisions.