On the other hand, there was no relationship between VEGF and lymphocyte cell count in NSCLC (r = 0.38, p = 0.13, Fig. 2e), while higher VEGF was accompanied with higher lymphocyte cell count in NSCLC+COPD patients (r = 0.53, p < 0.05, Fig. 2f). This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.