<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (
MMP-9),
endostatin (ES) and
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF) are important angiogenic regulators for many
neoplasms. The aim of this study is to judge clinical and prognostic values of
detection of
serum MMP-9, ES and
VEGF in
patients with
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>
METHODS</b>
Serum levels of
MMP-9, ES and
VEGF were detected in 92
patients with NSCLC, 50
patients with pulmonary benign
disease and 52 healthy controls by
ELISA method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The
serum levels of
MMP-9, ES and
VEGF in NSCLC
patients were significantly higher than those in
patients with pulmonary benign
disease and healthy controls (P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.000). The
sensitivity and specificity of
serum MMP-9 was 92.51% and 79.10% with a cutoff value of 117.17 μg/L, 88.32% and 74.25% for ES with a cutoff value of 100.31 μg/L, and 83.40% and 75.63% for
VEGF with a cutoff value of 380.32 ng/L.
Serum MMP-9 and ES levels were significant
prognostic factors for
lung cancer patients (P=0.0145, P=0.008). The change of
serum MMP-9 level after
chemotherapy was a useful
indicator of
prognosis for NSCLC
patients (P=0.0322).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The
serum levels of
MMP-9, ES and
VEGF are significantly increased in
patients with NSCLC. They might be used as prognostic
parameters in
patients with NSCLC.</p>