The expression of PHD genes and their relationship with the tumor behavior and apoptosis-associated factors in non-small cell lung cancer, was investigated.

Both lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) had elevated PHD2 (EGLN1) expression compared to normal tissues. High PHD2 expression LUAD, but not LUSC, patients had shorter overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared to the low expression group. High methylation level of these two CpG sites (cg07040244 and cg21875980) in PHD2 was associated with better OS in LUAD patients.

findings show hypoxia and loss of PHD2 revert cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation; this reversion is associated with loss of matrix stiffening and consequently reduction in spontaneous metastases to lungs and liver