[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor correlates with invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and explore new approaches to prevent and inhibit recurrence and metastasis of HCC.


METHODS
Surgical samples of 43 patients with HCC were studied using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The relative level of VEGF mRNA expression was measured by determining a ratio of PCR products of VEGF to that of beta-actin gene.


RESULTS
(1) Expression of VEGF mRNA expression in tumor tissue was found in 79.1% (34/43) of patients, whereas it was seen in 20.9% (9/43) of the nontumorous liver tissue. (2) The level of VEGF mRNA expression in tumors with tumor emboli or in non-encapsulated tumors was higher than that without tumor emboli or in well-encapsulated tumors (P < 0.05). (3) There was no significant difference in the expression of VEGF mRNA between large HCC (diameter > 5 cm) and small HCC (diameter < or = 5 cm) (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF may play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of HCC. Angiogenesis in tumor correlates with the progression of HCC.
Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University.
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Li
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Tang
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Zhou
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors