381 J.L. Mehta and N.S. Dhalla (eds.), Biochemical Basis and Therapeutic Implications of Angiogenesis, Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease 6, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-5857-9_20, © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013 Abstract Lung cancer is a highly prevalent disease worldwide. Currently, it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Western nations. Non-small-cell lung can- cer (NSCLC) corresponds to approximately 85% of all histological types. Risk fac- tors are usually associated with tobacco consumption, occupational exposure, radon, and passive smoking. Lung cancer diagnosis often occurs in the advanced stages IIIB and IV. Thus systemic therapies, such as cytotoxic agents and therapeu- tic targets, play a major role in NSCLC management. To date, many factors influ- ence NSCLC behavior and, therefore, clinical response to therapeutic targets, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial Chapter 20 Role of Genetic Polymorphisms in the Angiogenesis Pathway and Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer Tumor Behavior: Implications in Risk Assessment and Clinical Outcome Ramon Andrade de Mello, Michael Luis, António Araújo, Rui Manuel Reis, and Venceslau Hespanhol R.A. de Mello (*) Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal Department of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro 4200-319 Porto, Portugal e-mail: ramondemello@gmail.com M. Luis • A. Araújo Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal R.M. Reis Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Vilella, 1331, 14784-400, Barretos-SP, Brazil V. Hespanhol Department of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal Service of Pneumology, Hospital São João, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal