Correlation between activated circulating endothelial cells and efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the number of activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs) in the peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and investigate the relationship among aCECs, anti-angiogenic therapy, and prognosis of NSCLC patients. This study also aimed to identify novel predictive markers for anti-angiogenic therapy, and provide basic data and experimental basis for establishing an evaluation system for this therapy. Methods: A total of 142 NSCLC patients were randomly divided into the chemotherapy group (Group 1) and combined therapy group (i.e., chemotherapy plus endostatin, Group 2). The number of aCECs was measured using flow cytometry by detecting the expression status of CD105 and CD146 in the peripheral blood. The correlation between the changes in aCECs and efficacy of drug treatment was statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The number of aCECs in Group 2 increased significantly at 8 and 29 d, two cycles, 50 and 71 d, and four cycles after treatment, respectively (P<0.05). In particular, aCECs amount in cases of progressive disease increased more significantly after combined therapy (P<0.05). A negative correlation was found between the treatment cycle and difference in aCECs amount before and after therapy (r= -0.970, P=0.001). A negative correlation was also observed between the difference in aCECs amount and time to tumor progression (TTP) (r=-0.351, P=0.039). Therefore, the difference in aCECs amount before and after therapy could serve as an important predictor for TTP in NSCLC patients. Conclusion: CD105 and CD146 reflected the activation status of endothelial cells, and responded to the drug treatment. Thus, CD105 and CD146 could act as ideal markers for aCECs. The number of aCECs increased during cancer progression, but significantly decreased after long-term treatment. Therefore, the change in aCECs amount may be a useful marker in predicting the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy.