Evaluation of VEGF and VEGF-C expression in gastric cancer cells producing alpha-fetoprotein.
BACKGROUND
Gastric cancers producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) are known to have a poor prognosis and to show a high incidence of liver metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its isoform VEGF-C are reported to be associated with tumor progression through an angiogenic or lymphangiogenic function. In the present study, to clarify the cellular characteristics of AFP-producing gastric cancers, the expression of VEGF and that of VEGF-C in AFP-producing gastric cancer was compared with their expression in gastric cancers that do not produce AFP.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with AFP-producing gastric cancers [AFP(+)] and 26 patients with stage-matched gastric cancers that did not produce AFP [AFP(-)] were evaluated for VEGF and VEGF-C expression and vessel density, using immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
The survival rate of the AFP(+) group was significantly worse than that of the stage-matched AFP(-) group (P < 0.05). The frequency of VEGF-C expression was significantly higher in the AFP(+) group than in the AFP(-) group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in VEGF expression between the AFP(+) and AFP(+) groups. The microvessel density was higher in the AFP(+) group than in the AFP(-) group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A higher expression of VEGF-C might be one explanation for the poorer prognosis of AFP-producing gastric cancers.
Kamei
Shigeo
S
First Department of Surgery, Yamanashi Medical University, 1110 Tamaho, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
Kono
Koji
K
Amemiya
Hideki
H
Takahashi
Akihiro
A
Sugai
Hidemitsu
H
Ichihara
Fumiko
F
Fujii
Hideki
H
Matsumoto
Yoshirou
Y
D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins