Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression predicts lymph node metastasis of human gastric carcinomas invading the submucosa.
We examined the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C expression and lymph node metastases in gastric carcinomas invading the submucosa. Of the six human gastric carcinoma cell lines, two constitutively expressed VEGF-C mRNA. In three of 12 gastric biopsy specimens (25%), VEGF-C mRNA was detected in tumour tissues, but not in corresponding normal mucosa by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of the 139 resected gastric carcinomas, 44 (32%) showed intense cytoplasmic VEGF-C immunoreactivity in many cancer cells at the invading edge. VEGF-C immunoreactivity was associated with greater depth of tumour invasion, lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastases. In addition, vessel count was also significantly higher in the VEGF-C immunoreactive tumours than in other tumours. These results suggest that VEGF-C may be involved in the progression of human gastric carcinoma, particularly via lymphangiogenesis. VEGF-C expression at the invading edge of a gastric carcinoma may be a sensitive marker for metastasis to the lymph nodes.
Amioka
T
T
First Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Japan.
Kitadai
Y
Y
Tanaka
S
S
Haruma
K
K
Yoshihara
M
M
Yasui
W
W
Chayama
K
K
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3