Expression of DPC4 Gene in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma and Its Relation to Angiogenesis and Apoptosis

Objective 　To study the expression of DPC4 (deleted in pancreatic carcinoma locus 4, DPC4) in non-small cell lung carcinoma as well as it s association with angiogenesis and apoptosis. Methods 　The expression of DPC4, VEGF and CD34 was detected in 52 cases with primary NSCLC and 19 adjacent normal lung tissues by using immunohistochemist rical S-P method. Apoptosis of NSCLC cells was detected by TUNEL technique. Results 　Positive expression rate of DPC4 in primary lung cancer tissues was 63. 5 %(33/ 52), compared with the positive rate 89. 5 % ( 17/ 19 ) in adjacent normal lung tissues, the DPC4 expression level apparently degraded and there was significant differentiation ( P < 0. 05) . The positive expression of DPC4 had no correlation with tissue types and cellular differentiation ( P > 0. 05), but it was closely associated with lymph node metastasis ( P < 0. 05) . In 52 patient s with NSCLC, the relationships between DPC4 and VEGF, and DPC4 and MVD, showed apparently negative correlation ( r =-0. 303, P = 0. 020 ) . The AI in DPC4-positive group was much higher than that in DPC4-negative group. Conclusion 　The low expression of DPC4 could be an early event during the course of the NSCLC's formation. Simultaneously, it also promoted lymph node metastasis by promoting the angiogenesis in NSCLC derectly or indirectly. The high expression of DPC4 may promote cell apoptosis.