Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in primary lung carcinomas and the incidence of...

Paraffin-embedded tumor sections from 166 patients with squamous cell lung carcinomas (n=114) and lung adenocarcinomas (n=52) were analyzed for the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with the incidence of metastatic spread. Sixty-five tumors were characterized as VEGF-negative and 101 tumors as VEGF-positive. Fifty-eight tumors were bFGF-negative and 108 tumors classified as bFGF-positive. Tumors with expression of VEGF or bFGF showed an increase in the formation of metastases. Combining the VEGF and bFGF expressions improved the prognostic value. Corresponding results were obtained when the analysis was restricted to squamous cell lung carcinomas or adenocarcinomas of the lung. These data provide evidence that VEGF and bFGF may be relevant factors associated with the metastatic potential of primary lung carcinomas.