[Significance of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in colorectal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its relation with the clinicopathologic features and explore new approaches to prevent and inhibit recurrence and metastasis of CRC.


METHODS
Surgical samples of 68 patients with CRC 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 in tumor tissue was found in 67.6% (46/68) of the sample, whereas it was seen in 32.4% (22/68) of the surrounding nontumorous colorectal tissue. (2) The level of VEGF mRNA expression in tumors with serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis or Dukes' D stage was higher than that without serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis or Dukes' A and B and C stage (P < 0.01). (3) There was no significant difference in the expression of VEGF mRNA between large CRC (diameter > 5 cm) and small CRC (diameter < or = 5 cm) (P > 0.05) or histologic types (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF may play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of CRC. It is thus show that angiogenesis in tumor correlates with the progression of CRC.
Zhong
S
S
PLA Institute for Digestive Disease, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Zhang
Z
Z
Li
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors