-
The Role of Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-A and VEGF-C in Early Gastric Cancer
-
Jeong Hwan Yook, Shoji Natsugoe, Xiangming Che, Sumiya Ishigami, Shuichi Hokita, Masamichi Baba, Sonshin Takao, Aikou Takashi
-
J Korean Cancer Assoc. 2001;33(2):93-98.
-
-
-
Abstract
PDF
- PURPOSE
Tumor spread is mainly dependent on both hematogenous and lymphogeneous systems, and recently, several angiogenic factors have been identified. In the present study, we investigated whether the expressions of VEGF-A and -C are related with angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 97 specimens btained from patients with early gastric cancer were studied by immunohistochemical methods using anti- VEGF-A and -C polyclonal antibodies, anti-Factor VIII- related antigen antibody, and anti-p53 antibody. RESULTS The percentage of the positive expressions of VEGF-A and -C were 24.7% (24/97) and 25.7% (25/97), respectively. Significant differences were found between the expression of VEGF-A and lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis, and between expression of VEGF-C and gross type, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). The mean microvessel counts in VEGF-A and -C positive tumors were significantly higher than those in VEGF-A and -C negative tumors (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, tumor size, lymphatic invasion and VEGF-C were identified as independent factors related to lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The expressions of VEGF-A and -C were found to be related to angiogenic activity and VEGF-C expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis. The determination of VEGF-C expression may be helpful for predicting lymph node metastases in early gastric cancer, and further studies involving many specimens are warranted.
|