Quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and its receptor-3 messenger RNA with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction as a predictor of lymph node metastasis in human colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and the expression of its receptor VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) are correlated with lymph node metastasis in human colorectal cancer and whether their expression levels might be used to predict lymph node metastasis.


METHODS
Fifty-three surgical specimens of colorectal cancer with (n = 24) or without (n = 29) lymph node metastasis were studied. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was quantified with a new method for kinetic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time quantitative (RTQ) reverse transcriptase-PCR. In addition, their protein expressions were assessed immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
The VEGF-C mRNA level in primary tumors correlated with VEGF-C protein expression, lymph node metastasis, and lymphatic invasion. Sixteen of 24 patients with lymph node metastasis showed VEGF-C mRNA overexpression. Morphologically, VEGF-C protein expression in primary tumors showed a statistically significant relationship with lymph node metastasis and lymphatic invasion.


CONCLUSIONS
Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR is a sensitive method for detection and quantification of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of VEGF-C mRNA and protein in colorectal cancer are correlated with lymph node metastasis and lymphatic invasion.
Kawakami
Masayo
M
First Department of Surgery, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Furuhata
Tomohisa
T
Kimura
Yasutoshi
Y
Yamaguchi
Koji
K
Hata
Fumitake
F
Sasaki
Kazuaki
K
Hirata
Koichi
K
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3