Authors: Jun Wang Kainan Li Baocheng Wang Jingwang Bi
Publish Date: 2011/12/14
Volume: 39, Issue: 5, Pages: 5331-5338
Abstract
The role of lymphatic microvessel density LVD as a prognostic factor for survival of patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma NSCLC remains controversial To evaluate this potential role we performed a systematic review of the electronic databases PubMed and EMBASE for relevant literature to review and compile available survival results To be eligible a study had to assess LVD in patients with NSCLC and to compare survival based on LVD stratification Among 12 eligible trials all dealt with NSCLC and 10 trials provided results for the metaanalysis of survival data evaluable trials In terms of survival high LVD was reported to be an unfavorable prognostic factor for overall survival in 8 studies whereas it was not in 4 studies The overall survival hazard ratio for the 10 evaluable studies 1426 patients was calculated to be 141 95 CI 114–175 using a random effects model indicating a poorer survival for NSCLC patients with high LVD The hazard ratio was 152 95 CI 110–211 in 5 NSCLC studies where LVD was assessed based on D240 and 131 95 CI 108–160 in 4 studies where LVD was measured based on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor3 This study supports the hypothesis that the lymphatic microvessel count or LVD which reflects levels of lymphangiogenesis is a poor prognostic factor for patient survival in surgically treated NSCLC However the present findings may overestimate the prognostic capacity of LVD because of publication and report bias In addition the standardization of lymphangiogenesis assessment by the lymphatic microvessel count is necessary
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