[Lymphatic metastasis and VEGF-C expression in ovarian epithelial tumors].
The aim of the present study was to explore the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in the process of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in epithelial ovarian tumors. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining for VEGF-C were performed in 30 epithelial ovarian carcinomas, 9 borderline tumors and 26 benign cystadenomas. Endothelial cells were immunostained with anti-VEGFR-3 pAb and anti-CD31 mAb, and VEGFR-3 positive vessels and microvessel density (MVD) were assessed by image analysis. VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression in ovarian epithelial carcinomas were significantly higher than that in borderline tumors and benign cystadenomas (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). In ovarian epithelial carcinomas, VEGF-C protein expression, VEGFR-3 positive vessels and MVD were significantly higher in the cases of clinical stage III-IV and with lymphatic metastasis than those of clinical stage I-II and without lymphatic metastasis respectively (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), VEGFR-3 positive vessels and MVD was significantly higher in the VEGF-C protein positive tumors than negative tumors (p < 0.05), VEGFR-3 positive vessels was significantly correlated with MVD(p < 0.01). These data suggest that VEGF-C might play a role in lymphatic metastasis via lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in epithelial ovarian carcinomas, and VEGF-C could be used as a biologic marker of metastasis in ovarian epithelial carcinomas.
Ding
Ming Xing
MX
Department of Lymphology, Institute of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China.
Li
Ji Cheng
JC
Tang
Xin Hua
XH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018282:Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D018291:Cystadenoma, Mucinous / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D018293:Cystadenoma, Serous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3