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Shin, Ha, Choi, Kim, Park, Choi, and Yoo: Immunohistochemical Study of C-erbB-2 and VEGF Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Original Article
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2007; 62(1): 43-50.

Published online: 31 January 2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2007.62.1.43

Immunohistochemical Study of C-erbB-2 and VEGF Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Jong Wook Shin, M.D.1, Kyung Won Ha, M.D.2, Jae Cheol Choi, M.D.1, Jae Yeol Kim, M.D.1, In Whon Park, M.D.1, Byoung Whui Choi, M.D.1, Jae Hyung Yoo, M.D.2

1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.

Address for Correspondence: Jae Hyung Yoo, M.D. 224-1, Huk-Seok Dong, Dongjak Gu, Seoul, Korea, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University 156-756. Tel: 02-820-5657, Fax: 02-813-5387, jhyoo@cau.ac.kr

Received 29 September 2006       Accepted 28 December 2006

Copyright © 2007 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Background

Mutated or deregulated expression of C-erbB-2 causes this gene to function as a potent oncogene.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a crucial angiogenic molecule in lung cancer.
Both C-erbB-2 and VEGF can promote growth, proliferation and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to investigate evaluate the relationship between the expressions of the C-erbB-2 and VEGF genes using immunohistochemistry.

Materials and Methods

Ninety-five patients with NSCLC were involved (60 squamous cell carcinoma and 35 adenocarcinoma). The formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens were immunohistochemically stained for C-erbB-2 and VEGF using the avidin-biotin complex method.

Results

Positive C-erbB-2 expression was observed more often in adenocarcinomas than squamous cell carcinomas (p<0.05).
Although the immunohistochemical expressions of C-erbB-2 and VEGF in non-small-cell lung cancer showed increased tendencies at an advanced stage, the correlation between early and advanced cancers was insignificant. In adenocarcinomas, the expressions of VEGF and C-erbB-2 were significantly (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The overexpression fo C-erbB-2 was significantly higher in adenocarcinomas than squamous cell carcinomas, and correlated with the expression of VEGF in adenocarcinomas of the lungs.

Keywords: C-erbB-2, VEGF, Non-small-cell lung cancer

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Immunohistochemical staining for C-erbB-2 in squamous cell carcinoma(1-a) and adenocarcinoma(1-b) of lung shows intracytoplasmic and membranous positive reaction(Avidin-Biotin Complex, ×400).
trd-62-43-g001
Figure 2
Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF in squamous cell carcinoma(2-a) and adenocarcinoma(2-b) of lung shows diffuse granular positive reaction(Avidin-Biotin Complex, ×400)
trd-62-43-g002
Table 1
Immunohistochemical expression of C-erbB-2 and VEGF in non-small-cell lung cancer
trd-62-43-i001

NSCLC=non-small-cell lung cancer

Table 2
Immunohistochemical expression of C-erbB-2 and VEGF in squamous cell carcinoma of NSCLC by stage
trd-62-43-i002

NSCLC=non-small-cell lung cancer

Table 3
Immunohistochemical expression of C-erbB-2 and VEGF in adenocarcinoma of NSCLC by stage
trd-62-43-i003

NSCLC=non-small-cell lung cancer

Table 4
VEGF expression in non-small-cell lung cancer according to C-erbB-2 expression
trd-62-43-i004

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