BMET-10VASCULOGENIC MIMICRY IN LUNG CANCER BRAIN METASTASIS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is involved in the process of tumor (including gliomas) initiation and progression. However, the existence and prognostic significance of VM in brain metastases have not been elucidated. In this study, we were trying to detect the presence of VM in brain metastases original from lung cancer, and correlate to patient prognosis. METHODS: The clinical data were retrospectively reviewed in 60 patients received surgical removal for lung cancer brain metastases at our department from 2000 to 2014. The VM was determined by utility of CD34-PAS dual staining. RESULTS: In 60 brain metastatic tumor samples, the VM (PAS positive but CD34 negative channel) were found in 22 cases, and the VM-positive rate in brain metastases was 36.6%. The univariate analysis showed that patient KPS scoring, age and treatment strategy, but not VM, were related with patient survival time. The multivariate analysis indicated that KPS scoring and treatment strategy after brain metastasis surgery were closely related to patient prognosis. CONCLUSION: VM exits in lung cancer brain metastases, but does not associate with patient prognosis. Longer survival of patient was related with KPS scoring (over 70) and treatment strategy after surgery.