Baseline and post-surgery endothelial progenitor cell levels in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung carcinoma: impact on cancer recurrence and survival†

Abstract

Circulating EPC levels are comparable between patients with early-stage NSCLC and healthy controls. Overall, surgical cancer resection was not associated with a significant early EPC change. However, an early post-surgery EPC increase is able to predict an increased risk of cancer recurrence and death.