[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 and nm23-H1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), VEGFR-3 and nm23-H(1) in lymphatic metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).


METHODS
The expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and nm23-H(1) were examined by immunohistochemical SP method. The lymphatic vessels density (LVD) in tumors was counted and analyzed with clinicopathologic parameters.


RESULTS
VEGF-C, LVD and nm23-H(1) expressions were significantly different between OSCC and benign and precancerous lesions (P < 0.05). VEGF-C was correlated with lymph node metastasis and LVD (P < 0.01). nm23-H(1) was related to clinical stage, histological grade and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The high expressions of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 and inactivation of nm23-H(1) may play an important role in lymphatic metastasis in OSCC.
Xu
Jin-Cheng
JC
Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu Anhui 233004, China. xjch9999@163.com
Feng
Zhen-Zhong
ZZ
Zhao
Shi-Fang
SF
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000378:metabolism*
D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3; C517938:NME1 protein, human