Prognostic Significance of CD31 Expression in Patients with Non-Small-Cell-Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the primary cause of cancer related death worldwide. After resection of early stage NSCLC, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for patient survival still remains unclear and investigations for further risk stratification are needed for an improved treatment decision. Microvessel density (MVD) influences both the nutrition of the cancer and the access to the bloodstream for the development of distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic significance of microvessel density by CD31 staining in patients with resected stage IA-IIIB NSCLC. We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) of CD31 to examine the microvessel density in a cohort of 69 patients who had undergone radical resection for NSCLC. Correlation of IHC values and standard clinicopathologic parameters was analyzed as well as influence on long term survival. Survival analysis revealed a significant better overall survival for patients with higher median microvessel density (log rank p = 0.031) independent of clinicopathologic parameters. Regarding primary cancer related death, the survival was again significantly longer in patients with high CD31 count (log rank p = 0.036). A higher microvessel density was a strong predictor for a longer tumor related survival and could be used for therapeutic decisions of adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of early stage NSCLC.