VEGF-D expression and EGFR mutations in non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

22149 Background: VEGF-D and EGFR are involved in pathogenesis of lung cancer. The expression of VEGF-D and somatic EGFR mutations are to be investigated.,Sixty-nine primary non-small cell lung cancer and normal lung tissues adjacent to cancer were collected during operation. VEGF-D gene expression level was examined by semi-quantitative SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR with housekeeping gene ACTB as the endogenous control through the establishment of standard curves. For 55 of these patients, RT-PCR products of EGFR spanning exons 18 through 19 and KRAS spanning codons 12, 13, 59 and 61 were directly sequenced.,VEGF-D expression level in non-small-cell lung cancer was significantly lower than in normal control (nonparametric Mann-Whitney test, P=0.001), however, there was no difference of VEGF-D expression ratios in normal lung (42.0%) and lung cancer (53.6%). VEGF-D expression level kept no different between lung cancers with and without EGFR or KRAS gene mutation. Total EGFR mutations ratio was 43.6% (24/55), and the incidence of mutation in exons 18 through 21 showed significant difference (chi-squared test, P=0.001) with deletion mutation occurred most frequently in exon 19 and the second was L858R in exon 21. Somatic EGFR mutations occured more frequently in adenocarcinomas than in other types of histologies (Chi-squared test, P =0.001). KRAS gene mutation ratio was 12.7% (7/55). Inverse relationship between KRAS and EGFR mutations in the non-small-cell lung cancer was statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, P=0.015).,VEGF-D plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and function of normal lung, however, the lack or decrease of VEGF-D expression is critical in tumorigenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer especially adenocarcinoma. EGFR and KRAS mutations have no impact VEGF-D expression in non-small cell lung cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.