Abstract: To examine the expressions of p-Stat3, VEGF-C and MMP-2 and to study their relationship. METHODS: P-Stat3, VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins were detected in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 53 non-small cell lung cancer tissues and 10 normal lung tissues by SP immunohistochemical method. The levels of their expression and their relationship with p-Stat3, VEGF-C and MMP-2 were analyzed. RESULTS: In 53 non-small cell lung cancers, p-Stat3, VEGF-C and MMP-2 was expressed in 45.2%(24/53), 77.3%(41/53) and 58.4%(31/53), respectively. p-Stat3 expression was more pronounced in adenocarcinoma at 75%(9/12). p-Stat3 expression was much higher in the poorly differentiated than the well differentiated tissues (P ＜0.01). p-Stat3, VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions were much higher in the non-small cell lung cancers with lymph node metastasis than those without(P＜0.05). There was no significant correlation with the size of tumor, age and sex of the patients(P＞0.05). There was also positive correlation between the expressions of p-Stat3 and VEGF-C, MMP-2 in non-small cell lung cancer(P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: p-Stat3, VEGF-C and MMP-2 were upregulated in non-small cell lung cancer. Over-expression of p-Stat3 in the non-small cell lung cancer development and metastases may be related to VEGF-C and MMP-2.

Key words: non-small cell lung cancer, p-Stat3, VEGF-C, MMP-2, immunohistochemical method, lymph node