Correlative studies on bFGF mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA expressions with microvascular density, progression, and prognosis of gastric carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mRNA expressions of bFGF and MMP-9 in gastric carcinomas so as to reveal their correlations with tumor microvascular density (MVD), invasion, metastasis, and prognosis.


METHODS
In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the expressions of bFGFmRNA and MMP-9mRNA and the proteins of CD34 in 105 specimens of gastric carcinomas.


RESULTS
In situ hybridization study showed that positive rates of bFGF mRNA and MMP-9mRNA expressions were 60.95% and 59.19%; the mean MVD was 46.09+/-11.52 and 43.75+/-13.41, respectively in piece/0.72 mm(2) in tumors with bFGFmRNA and MMP-9mRNA positive expressions, which were significantly higher than those with negative expression (29.41+/-12.47; 33.45+/-13.92 piece/0.72 mm(2), respectively). The positive expression rates of bFGFmRNA and MMP-9mRNA were correlated to the tumor invasion depth (r(s) = 0.211, P = 0.031; r(s) = 0.335, P = 0.001), growing pattern (r(s) = 0.324, P = 0.001; r(s) = 0.267, P = 0.006), vessel invasion (r(s) = 0.579, P = 0.001; r(s) = 0.209, P = 0.032), lymph node metastasis (r(s) = 0.405, P = 0.001; r(s) = 0.343, P = 0.001) and distant metastasis (r(s) = 0.474, P = 0.001; r(s) = 0.468, P = 0.001), but not correlated to tumor type (r(s) = 0.134, P = 0.173; r(s) = 0.103, P = 0.145) and differentiations (r(s) = 0.096, P = 0.332; r(s) = 0.102, P = 0.298). The mean MVD was much higher in the tumors with infiltrating growth at stage T(3)-T(4), with vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis than those with expanding growth type (t = 10.105, P = 0.001) at stage T(1)-T(2) (t = 5.961, P = 0.001), with non-vessel invasion (t = 7.394, P = 0.001), non-lymph node metastasis (t = 3.819, P = 0.01) and non-distant metastasis (t = 10.578, P = 0.001). Positive correlation was observed between MVD and the expressions of bFGFmRNA and MMP-9mRNA (t = 3.207, P = 0.002; t = 7.035, P = 0.001, respectively). The mean survival time and 5-year survival rate were lower in cases with MVD over 39.5 and the positive expressions of bFGFmRNA and MMP-9mRNA than those with MVD less than 39.5 and the negative expressions of bFGFmRNA and MMP-9mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
bFGF and MMP-9 promote the angiogenesis of the gastric cancers. Detection of the expressions of bFGF and MMP-9 can serve as a useful index to determine the angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of gastric cancers.
Zhao
Zhong-Sheng
ZS
Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China.
Zhou
Ji-Lin
JL
Yao
Gen-You
GY
Ru
Guo-Qing
GQ
Ma
Jie
J
Ruan
Jun
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics*; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9