Non-small
cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the primary cause of cancer related death
worldwide. After resection of early stage NSCLC, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for patient
survival still remains unclear and investigations for further risk stratification
are needed for an improved treatment decision. Microvessel density (MVD) influences
both the nutrition of the cancer and the access to the bloodstream for the development
of distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic
significance of microvessel density by CD31 staining in patients with resected
stage IA-IIIB NSCLC. We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) of CD31 to examine the
microvessel density in a cohort of 69 patients who had undergone radical
resection for NSCLC. Correlation of IHC values and standard clinicopathologic
parameters was analyzed as well as influence on long term survival.Survival analysis revealed a significant better
overall survival for patients with higher median microvessel density (log rank
p=0.031) independent of clinicopathologic parameters.
Regarding primary cancer related death, the survival was again significantly
longer in patients with high CD31 count (log rank p=0.036). A
higher microvessel density was a strong predictor for a longer tumor related
survival and could be used for therapeutic decisions of adjuvant chemotherapy
after resection of early stage NSCLC.
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