Prognostic significance of platelet-derived growth factor-BB expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
Cancer metastases are commonly found in the lymphatic system and tumor lymphangiogenesis requires the interplay of several growth factors. The expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C in esophageal cancer was investigated to define their clinicopathological significance.


METHODS
Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of PDGF-BB and VEGF-C was examined, along with lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in 53 patients with esophageal cancer.


RESULTS
PDGF-BB and VEGF-C expression was positive in 31 cases (58.5%) and 38 cases (71.7%), respectively, and expression correlated with lymph node metastasis and lymphatic invasion. Furthermore, PDGF-BB expression correlated with the depth of tumor invasion and the size of the tumor, and PDGF-BB-positive patients had a significantly poorer prognosis than PDGF-BB-negative patients. The LVD in positive PDGF-BB or VEGF-C tumors was higher than in negative tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
PDGF-BB may play a pivotal role in lymphangiogenesis and tumor growth in esophageal cancer.
Matsumoto
Sohei
S
Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan. msohei@naramed-u.ac.jp
Yamada
Yukishige
Y
Narikiyo
Michihiro
M
Ueno
Masato
M
Tamaki
Hidetoshi
H
Miki
Katsuhiko
K
Wakatsuki
Kohei
K
Enomoto
Koji
K
Yokotani
Tomoyo
T
Nakajima
Yoshiyuki
Y
D000368:Aged; D000077214:Becaplermin; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011379:Prognosis; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000096:biosynthesis
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D000077214:Becaplermin