METHODS
Twenty eight patients in stage III, 24 patients in stage IV and 25 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum Bcl-2 and VEGF levels were analyzed by ELISA.
RESULTS
The VEGF (pg/ml) level in stage IV (11 6.7± 151.7) and stage III ( 11 6.2 ± 1 4 0.6) patients was higher than healthy subjects ( 34.5 ± 6.3) (p<0.0001). There was no difference between stage III and stage IV patients with respect to VEGF. The Bcl-2 level was not different between the three groups (p=0.15). The correlation test didn't show any significance between VEGF and Bcl- 2 in the three groups (p=0.109).
CONCLUSION
The VEGF level in stage IV was not higher than stage III patients. In order to show the possible association between VEGF and Bcl-2 in stage IV patients, we need studies including more patients, angiogenic and antiapoptotic cytokins.
Keywords: Non-small cell lung cancer; vascular endothelial growth factor; Bcl-2
