Serum endostatin correlates with progression and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer

The relationship between non-small cell lung cancer and platelet counts, serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin, is unclear. Platelet counts and serum VEGF and endostatin levels were measured preoperatively in 99 patients with non-small cell lung cancer, and the relationship between these factors and clinicopathological features, including prognosis, was examined. Mean serum VEGF level was slightly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (P=0.23). Mean serum endostatin level was 42.4+/-40.4 ng/ml in patients compared to 16.3+/-10.3 ng/ml in healthy subjects (P=0.0003). Serum endostatin levels were significantly higher in patients with involvement greater than T2 or stage IB, compared to other patients. Platelet count and serum endostatin level greater than the median were associated with poor prognosis. Our results suggested that platelet count and serum endostatin level may be useful markers for non-small cell lung cancer.