ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship between the expression of thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2), the changes of MVD and angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods By using SP immunohistochemical staining, the expression of TSP-2 and microvessel counting were evaluated in surgically resected specimens from 55 patients with NSCLC and 30 patients' pancancerous tissues, using the anti-TSP-2 and anti-CD34 monoclonal antibodies respectively. Results Active angiogenesis took place in NSCLC tumor tissues. Microvessel density (MVD) was associated with metastasis and clinical stage of NSCLC. Expression level of TSP-2 in the tumor tissues of 55 NSCLC patients was significantly higher than that in the pancancerous tissues from other 30 patients (149.10?2.94 vs. 145.70?4.74, P