[The expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and its predictive value on lymph node metastasis and prognosis of gastric cancer].
OBJECTIVE
s To investigate the relationship between the expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and lymph node metastasis (LNM) in the gastric cancer, and explore the role of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 in the prognosis of gastric cancer.


METHODS
Gastric cancer specimens were selected from gastric cancer database from April, 1994 to December, 2003, which were registered and followed up. The specimens were divided into two groups according to LNM existing or not. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed with anti-VEGF-C, anti-VEGFR-3 monoclonal antibody by DAB method. Their effects on prognosis of gastric cancer patients were analyzed by Kaplan-meier, Logistic and Cox Regression methods.


RESULTS
In 188 cases of gastric cancer patients, 97 patients presented with LNM and the rest did not. The positive expression rate of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 in the group without LNM was lower than those in group with LNM, and there was significant difference between the two groups. There was significant difference in the average lymphatic vessel density between the group with LNM and the group without, and the same results were found between the group with positive VEGF-C expression and the group without.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 are over-expressed in gastric cancer patients with LNM, and the expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 are important predictors for the prognosis of gastric cancer.
Han
Fang-hai
FH
Department of Gastrointestinopancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Zhan
Wen-hua
WH
He
Yu-long
YL
Li
Yu-ming
YM
Zheng
Zhang-qing
ZQ
Peng
Jun-sheng
JS
Cai
Shi-rong
SR
Ma
Jin-ping
JP
D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000378:metabolism*
D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3