Expression and clinical significance of bFGF and CCL18 in non-small cell lung cancer

Both basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) are important extracellular molecules in tumor microenvironment. However, their involvement in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression clinical significance of bFGF and CCL18 in NSCLC. Expression of bFGF and CCL18 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Expression of bFGF protein was significantly higher in NSCLC tissues (73.75%) than that in adjacent benign lung tissues (15.00%). bFGF upregulation was correlated with differentiation, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). The expression of bFGF was not related to gender, age, smoking, tumor size and histological subtype. Expression of CCL18 was significantly elevated in NSCLC tissues (66.25%) compared with that in adjacent benign lung tissues (10.00%). High expression of CCL18 was correlated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). The expression of CCL18 was not related to gender, age, smoking, tumor size, histological subtype and differentiation. There was positive correlation between the expression of bFGF and CCL18 in NSCLC (r = 0.364, P < 0.01). Combination of bFGF with CCL18 might provide a new evaluation molecular marker and offer possibility to individualize treatment regimens in NSCLC. Keyword: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), immunohistochemistry