Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor expression and neovascularization in colorectal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density (MVD) expression with the angiogenesis and prognosis of colorectal cancer.


METHODS
A total of 97 cases of colorectal carcinomas were examined by immunohistochemical staining (SP method), using anti-VEGF and anti-factor CD34(+) monoclonal antibodies.


RESULTS
VEGF positive staining was obtained in 68 out of 97 cases (70.1 %), and observed mainly in the cytoplasm of tumor cells, and also frequently in stromal cells. VEGF expression was more intense in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in comparison with others, but there was no significant correlation between VEGF expression and age, sex and stage. A significant correlation was found between the MVD and grades, and there was no significant relationship between the MVD and age, sex, and stage. The MVD in the VEGF positive group (68 cases) was higher than that in the negative group. Upon multivariate analysis, the significant variables were stage, tumor grade and MVD; VEGF expression was not an independent prognostic factor.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of VEGF has a significant correlation with MVD; MVD expression has prognostic value but VEGF has not in colon cancer.
Zheng
Shu
S
Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
Han
Ming-Yong
MY
Xiao
Zuo-Xiang
ZX
Peng
Jia-Ping
JP
Dong
Qi
Q
D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors