Objective: To study tumor angiogenesis in primary lung cancer and its relation with lymph node metastasis, tumor cell apoptosis, and cell proliferation.
Methods: Intratumor microvessel was detected by factor VIII polyclonal antibody using immunohistochemistry. Tumor cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. Cell proliferation was analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results: Intratumor microvessel density (MD) was significantly lower in stage I lung cancer than in stage II and stage III (P < 0.01). MD was significantly higher in the tumors with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). With the increase in MD, there would be a 1.2-fold increase in the risk of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). With the increase of MD, apoptosis index (AI) of the tumor significantly decreased, but no relationship between MD and cell proliferation index (PI) was observed.
Conclusion: Tumor angiogenesis promotes growth and metastasis of lung cancer. Tumor angiogenesis also can inhibit the apoptosis of lung cancer.