[A study on correlation of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer to vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-2, and fibronectin].
OBJECTIVE
To study the correlation of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin- 2 and fibronectin (FN).


METHODS
The transcription and expression of VEGF, angiopoietin- 2 and FN were detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (SQRT- PCR) and immunohistochemical staining in the specimens from sixty patients with colorectal cancer.


RESULTS
The mRNA transcription and expression levels of VEGF, angiopoietin- 2 and FN in colorectal cancer tissues were obviously higher than those in paratumor normal tissues P< 0.05. The transcription and expression levels of VEGF were correlated with tumor invasion P< 0.05,Dukes' stage P< 0.05,and lymph node and/or hepatic metastasis P< 0.05. Angiopoietin expression and transcription levels were correlated with tumor differentiation. The expression of FN in extra cellular matrix (ECM) was significantly higher (P< 0.05),whereas ECM in basement membrane was significantly lower in cancer tissues than that in paratumor normal tissues (P< 0.05),which both were correlated with tumor invasion P< 0.05,Dukes' stage P< 0.05,and lymph node metastasis P< 0.05. Absence of FN protein in basement membrane was also correlated with hepatic metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Colorectal cancer cells can secrete VEGF and contribute to metastasis and proliferation of tumor by stimulating the growth of tumor vessel. Both of VEGF and angiopoietin- 2 contribute to angiogenesis and the decrease of FN in basement membrane of cancer tissue is an important primary factor of hepatic metastasis.
Liang
Xiao-yu
XY
Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China. Liang-xiaoyu@263.net
Wang
Tao
T
Yang
Xiao-dong
XD
Qiu
Yu-jie
YJ
Zhu
Li-wei
LW
Wang
Peng-zhi
PZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D005353:Fibronectins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A