[Relationship among expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C), angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and lymphatic metastasis in oral cancer].
OBJECTIVE
There may be a close relationship among the vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression, peritumour lymphatic vessels, and lymph node metastasis. The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship among VEGF-C mRNA expression, density of lymphatic and blood vessels, and lymphatic metastasis in oral squamous carcinoma.


METHODS
VEGF-C mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Lymphatic and blood vessel differential stain was determined by enzyme-histochemical technique. Automated image analysis quantification was applied to determine the number of total lymphatic and blood vessels in unit area (TNa).


RESULTS
The peri-tumor lymphatic TNa of oral carcinoma was significantly higher in VEGF-C-positive group than those in VEGF-C-negative group(26.42 +/- 5.85: 17.34 +/- 6.48) (P < 0.01), but the blood TNa was a few higher(35.16 +/- 15.55: 33.49 +/- 13.73) (P > 0.05). Lymphatic TNa (30.67 +/- 5.76: 21.94 +/- 5.84) (P < 0.01) and blood TNa (44.19 +/- 14.29: 30.61 +/- 11.82) (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in lymph node metastasis group than those in no-metastasis group.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-C mainly promotes peri-tumor lymphangiogenesis and has a little effect on angiogenesis. Simultaneous increase of lymphatic and blood vessels may be related to the synergic expression of VEGF, VEGF-C and their receptors.
Yu
Da-hai
DH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, P. R. China. yudahai-email@263.net
Wen
Yu-min
YM
Sun
Jin-dong
JD
Wei
San-liang
SL
Xie
Hong-peng
HP
Pang
Fang-he
FH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C