[Relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and biological behavior in gastric carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1) mRNA and tumor progression, microvessel density and survival time in gastric carcinoma.


METHODS
In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the gene expression of VEGF, Flt-1 and CD34 in 118 gastric carcinoma specimens.


RESULTS
In situ hybridization revealed that positive expression rates of VEGF and Flt-1 mRNA in gastric carcinoma were 54.24% and 55.9% respectively. There was a significant correlation between the expression of VEGF and Flt-1 mRNA and growth pattern, the depth of tumor invasion, vessel invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis (P < 0.01). The mean tumor microvessel densities (MVD) in patients of stage T3-T4 or those with vessel invasion, lymph node and distant metastases were significantly higher than those of stage T1-T2 and without metastases (P < 0.01). MVD value was correlated with the expression levels of VEGF and Flt-1 mRNA (P < 0.01). The mean survival time and survival rate of patients with positive mRNA expression and mean MVD value >or=54.9/mm2 were significantly lower than those of patients with negative mRNA expression and mean MVD value < 54.9/mm2.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of VEGF and Flt-1 can promote tumor angiogenesis and contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis in gastric carcinoma. VEGF and Flt-1 may serve as valuable indicators of biological behaviour, prognosis and target of gene therapy in gastric carcinoma.
Wang
Yuan-yu
YY
Department of General Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, China.
Ye
Zai-yuan
ZY
Zhao
Zhong-sheng
ZS
Tao
Hou-quan
HQ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1