Combining Inhibitor of DNA - Binding Proteins and Angigenic Markers Expression Predict Long Term Survival of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: Inhibitor of DNA binding (Id) proteins is an emerging promise as biologic marker on oncogenic transformation, cancer progression and tumor angiogenesis, the last, by the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Design: We evaluated Ids (1, 2 and 3), VEGF expression and microvessel density (CD34+) in tumor and stromal cells and their impact on survival of 85 patients with surgically excised lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry and morphometry were used for the quantitation and Kaplan-Meyer survival curves and Cox regression for the statistical analyses. Results: It was found that high Id-1 and VEGF expression and high microvessel density were associated with worse prognosis (Log Rank Test, p<0.001). The Cox model controlled for histological type, age, lymph node stage, Ids, VEGF and microvessel density demonstrated that age, lymph node stage, Id1 and Id3 expression and vascular density were significantly associated with overall survival. A point at the median for Id1, Id3 and vascular density divided patients into 2 groups of different prognosis. Those with higher expression of Id1, Id3 and vascular density had a higher risk of death than those with lower Id-1, Id-3 and microvessel density. Conclusions: Inhibitor of DNA binding (Id) proteins and vascular density are strongly related to prognosis, suggesting that treatment strategies aimed for preventing high Ids synthesis, or local responses to angiogenesis may have impact on NSLC survival.