However, there are some contradictory results between different studies and many problems to be clarified. GSK3235025 For example, VEGFR-3 is expressed not only in lymphatic endothelium in normal adult tissue, but also in vascular endothelium in tumor tissue. Therefore, using VEGFR-3 as a marker of tumor lymph vessel may lead to loss of accuracy in lymphatic vessel density (LVD) counting [11]. LYVE-1 was thought to be restricted to lymphatic vessels [12]. However, LYVE-1 was also found in normal hepatic blood sinusoidal endothelial cells and macrophage [13, 14]. The specificity of LYVE-1 for lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs)

has been questioned by some investigators [15]. Futhermore, Padera [16] showed that approximately 10% of LYVE-1+ vessels were indeed blood vessels, suggesting that LYVE-1 alone is not suitable for the detection of functional lymphatic vessels. Until recently, tumorologists have recognized podoplanin as the most specific marker for lymphatic endothelium. And a double immunostaining with the D2–40 and anti-Ki67 monoclonal antibody mTOR cancer is used as the standard method for the assessment of lymphangiogenesis in solid tumors[17].

Thus, the aim of this study was to detect Lymphangiogenesis and find the relationship between clinicopathological parameters, such as LVD, lymph-node metastasis, VEGF-C, LVI, pathological stage, and prognostic factor in NSCLC. Methods Patients

and tissues This retrospective study included 82 patients with NSCLC who underwent either lobectomy or pneumonectomy at Xinqiao Hospital between January 1995 and November 2004. All of these patients have complete clinical and pathological records. None of the patients received Carbohydrate presurgical radio- or chemotherapy before operation. Follow-up was made to August 31, 2005, by phone call, letter inquiry and visiting census register agency. During the follow-up period, there were 35 patients still alive and 47 deaths. Patients who were lost to follow up or died for noncancer-related reasons were excluded. Pathological stage was reevaluated and PLX3397 clinical trial determined with the present TNM classification as revised in WHO 2004 classification criteria. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded NSCLC tissues were retrieved from the files of our pathology department. Tissue blocks containing a representative fraction of the tumor and the tumor-lung parenchyma interface were used. Operative tissues embedded with paraffin from the 82 patients with NSCLC. In addition, the fresh frozen operation tissues of 40 NSCLC patients from Xinqiao and Daping hospital were used for LYVE-1 immunohistochemistry and H&E staining (LYVE-1 expression was only on the fresh frozen sections, not on paraffin sections). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee (Faculty of Medicine, Third Military Medical University).