Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) expression in colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known as an important factor in the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. In 2001, a novel angiogenesis factor, endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF), was cloned. In this study, we investigated the expression of EG-VEGF in colorectal cancer, the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological factors, and the in vitro activity of EG-VEGF transfectants.


METHODS
We determined expression levels of EG-VEGF in 113 advanced colorectal cancers resected in our hospital by quantitative PCR, and compared the expression levels and clinicopathological findings by multivariate analyses.


RESULTS
The expression of EG-VEGF mRNA was positive in 31 cancers and negative in 82 cancers. We found that compared with the negative expression of the EG-VEGF gene, its positive expression was more frequently associated with hematogenous metastasis, and was associated with a poorer survival rate. In addition, EG-VEGF transfectants showed a higher degree of in vitro tubular formation than control cells.


CONCLUSIONS
We speculate that, in colorectal cancers, the EG-VEGF gene functions as an important factor in angiogenesis in primary and metastatic lesions, and consider that it is useful as a novel prognostic factor. EG-VEGF molecule-targeted therapy has the potential for improving survival rates.
Nagano
Hideki
H
First Department of Surgery, University of Fukui, Matsuoka-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, Japan.
Goi
Takanori
T
Koneri
Kenji
K
Hirono
Yasuo
Y
Katayama
Kanji
K
Yamaguchi
Akio
A
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D042662:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived / Q000235:genetics*