Tissue levels of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor[thymidine phosphorylase], vascular endothelial growth factor and cathepsin-D in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

1] To acquire more information about the important role of platelet derived-endothelial cell growth factor thymidine phosphorylase [PD-ECGF/TP], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and cathepsin-D [Cath-D] as angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis, progression and prognosis of lung cancer. 2] To investigate the correlation between these biochemical indices and the clinico- pathologic status of the patients. Patients: The study included histopathologically confirmed lung biopsies of 37 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, 12 patients with benign chest diseases and 12 non inflammatory non malignant biopsies as a control group. Bronchogenic carcinoma cases were classified histopathologically into squamous cell carcinoma [14 cases], adenocarcinoma [10 cases], large cell carcinoma [6 cases] and small cell lung carcinoma [7 cases]. Design: A randomized, group comparative, single center study. Setting: Assiut University Hospital. The present study showed a significant increase in the tissue levels of PD-ECGF/TP, VEGF and Cath-D in patients with lung cancer in comparison to patients with benign chest diseases and controls. Significant higher tissue levels of the studied bioindices were observed in patients with inoperable cancer, advanced stages, bulky tumors and with lymph node metastasis. Significant higher tissue levels of VEGF and Cath-D were also demonstrated in lung adenocarcinoma compared to other pathologic types of lung cancer. Significant positive correlations were found between the studied bioindices in the lung cancer patients. The present study indicates the importance of PD-ECGF/TP, VEGF and Cath-D as angiogenic factors in the malignant progression and prognosis of lung cancer. Therefore the development of new therapeutic agents with an anti angiogenic action like PD-ECGF/TP and VEGF inhibitors may be of great importance in the management of patients with lung cancer