AMP-activated protein kinase [alpha]1 serves a carcinogenic role via regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

• Published in: Oncology letters Vol. 17; no. 5; p. 4329
• Main Authors: Hui, Gong Dao, Xiu, Wang Yu, Yong, Chen, Yuan, Chi Bei, Jun, Zhang, Jun, Gu Jian, Jun, Yang Jun, Xiang, Xu Xing, Wei, Hu Su, Feng, Min Ling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spandidos Publications 01.05.2019
• Subjects: Cancer research; Care and treatment; Endothelial growth factors; Lung cancer; Non-small cell lung cancer; Prognosis; Protein kinases; Small cell lung cancer; Tumors; Vascular endothelial growth factor
• ISSN: 1792-1074
• DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10126

AMP-activated protein kinase [alpha]1 (AMPK [alpha]1) is involved in the tumorigenesis of various cancer types. However, the role of AMPK [alpha]1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. In the present study, 99 NSCLC tumor tissues and paired normal tissues were obtained. The expression levels of AMPK [alpha]1 were significantly upregulated in NSCLC tumor tissues compared with those in adjacent non-tumor lung tissues. The patients were further divided into two groups according to their expression levels of AMPK [alpha]1 in tumor tissues. The results outlined that overexpression of AMPK [alpha]1 was associated with poor prognosis. In addition, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression levels were associated with malignant progression in patients with NSCLC. Patients with NSCLC that overexpressed AMPK [alpha]1 and VEGF had the worst outcomes. Moreover, AMPK [alpha]1 may positively regulate VEGF expression. These results suggest that AMPK [alpha]1 serves a carcinogenic role at least in part through the regulation of VEGF expression, and thus represents a potential treatment target in patients with NSCLC.