Usefulness of platelet-derived growth factor as a prognostic factor in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the resected pulmonary adenocarcinoma tissue of 88 patients was detected immunohistochemically by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique to determine whether or not it is a prognostic parameter. The 88 patients were divided into PDGF (-) and PDGF (+) groups according to the stainability of the factor. The PDGF (-) group included 39 patients and the PDGF (+) group 49. The 5-year survival rate was 53% for the PDGF (-) group and 17% for the PDGF (+) group (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that the stainability of PDGF can be a prognostic parameter for pulmonary adenocarcinoma.