Syk expression in non-small-cell lung cancer and its relation with angiogenesis

To study the expression of spleentyrosine kinase (Syk) gene in non--small--cell lung cancer and the relationship between Syk mRNA and microvessel density (MVD) in the tumor cells.

The expression of Syk gene in 70 cases of lung tumor tissues, adjacent tissues, and normal lung tissues were examined with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT--PCR). The expression of MVD was examined with immunohistochemical streptavidin--biotin complex (SABC). The relation between them was analyzed.

Syk mRNA expression rates were 5.7, 95.7, and 100% in tumor, adjacent lung cells, and normal lung cells, respectively. The expression rate in tumor cells was significantly lower compared with those in normal lung tissue and adjacent lung tissue (P < 0.05), expression rate among different pathologic types, differentiation and clinical stages did not reveal any statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). The positive rate of CD34 in tumor was higher than that in adjacent tissues and normal lung tissues. The expression of Syk mRNA and MVD were negatively correlated.

The lack of Syk mRNA expression in lung cancer play an important role in angiogenesis.