[Expression of erythropoietin receptor in esophageal carcinoma and its correlation to microvessel density].
OBJECTIVE
Erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) is expressed in many kinds of tumors. The EPO/EPO-R signaling is involved in tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and invasion. This study was to detect the expression of EPO-R in esophageal carcinoma, and explore its correlation to angiogenesis.


METHODS
The expression of EPO-R protein in 110 specimens of primary esophageal carcinoma was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The microvessels were immunohistochemically labeled with factor VIII-related antigen (FVIII-R Ag) to assess microvessel density (MVD).


RESULTS
EPO-R was detected in all tumor tissues. It was expressed in cytoplasm and/or on cell membrane. Up-regulated EPO-R expression was correlated to poor differentiation (P<0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.006). Increased MVD was correlated to poor differentiation (P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), advanced stage (III/IVA/IVB) (P=0.022), and smoking (P=0.029). The expression of EPO-R was positively correlated to MVD (r=0.618, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
EPO-R expressed generally in esophageal carcinoma. The level of EPO-R positively correlates to angiogenesis and progression of esophageal carcinoma. EPO might be an endogenous stimulant of angiogenesis during the progression of esophageal carcinoma.
Li
Mei
M
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
Lu
Yue
Y
Chen
Xiao-Qin
XQ
D000367:Age Factors; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin; D014841:von Willebrand Factor