Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) increased the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death around the world. Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) is an emerging treatment strategy for medically inoperable early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we investigated the association of MWA and serum angiogensis promoters VEGF and MMP-9 in these patients subgroup.

METHODS: We enrolled 52 patients with stage I NSCLC patients in this study. For each patient, blood samples were drawn by venous puncture, one immediately prior to MWA and the others on post-procedure days (PPD) 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14. Serum samples were analyzed for VEGF and MMP-9 levels with use of commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Also, blood samples of 28 healthy volunteers were set as the healthy controls.

RESULTS: We did not observe a significant difference of serum VEGF and MMP-9 between NSCLC patients and healthy controls. The VEGF levels increased on the first day (256.0±6.16 pg/ml, P < 0.05)after MWA and peaked on the PPD3(418.0±14.54 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Although it gradually reduced afterwards, its levels on PPD14(141.2±4.41 pg/ml, P < 0.05) was still higher than preprocedure level. The serum MMP-9 level was significantly elevated from PPD1(231.3±7.93 ng/ml, P < 0.05)until PPD10(155.3±5.62 ng/ml, P < 0.05), while it normalized to preprocedure level on PPD14(90.78±3.36ng/ml, P > 0.05). The highest MMP-9 level was observed on PPD5(399.7±17.70ng/ml, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results indicated that percutaneous microwave ablation resulted in increased serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in stage I NSCLC patients. Antiangiogenesis approaches may be helpful for patients defending against metastases during the immediate postablation time window.