Vascular endothelial growth factor, c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-3 expression in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-3 expression and to evaluate their relation to clinicopathologic parameters and pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma.


METHODS
Sections of adenoma, intramucosal carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 85 malignant and 37 benign colorectal neoplasms for the expression of VEGF, c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-3 considering clinicopathological variables.


RESULTS
VEGF was detected in comparable percentages of all neoplasm types while c-erbB-2 expression was detectable more frequently in adenoma than adenocarcinoma cases (65% vs 43%). Except for the correlation of c-erbB-3 expression with Dukes' staging, there was no correlation between the studied markers and grade of differentiation, Dukes' stage and localization of colorectal adenocarcinoma. c-erbB-3 expression was seen more frequently in tubular adenomas, while c-erbB-2 expression was higher in tubulovillous and villous types. These differences were not statistically significant. The presence of distant metastasis and angiolymphatic invasion were identified as independent predictors of survival. A positive correlation was found between VEGF expression and lymphatic vessel invasion and regional lymph node involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that VEGF, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3 expression does not have prognostic value in colorectal cancer. VEGF expression may be implicated in the lymph node metastasis.
Uner
A
A
Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey. diclehan@yahoo.com
Ebinc
F A
FA
Akyurek
N
N
Unsal
D
D
Mentes
B B
BB
Dursun
A
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013534:Survival; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A