VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression is correlated with lymphatic vessel density and lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Implications for use as a prognostic marker.
The prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is influenced by the presence of lymph node metastasis. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between lymphangiogenesis and the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in association with lymph node metastasis in oral SCC. Oral SCC biopsy specimens (160 cases) were examined for lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D immunohistochemically. The levels of VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression and LVD were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). The expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D increased the LVD significantly (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that VEGF-C expression and LVD were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). This study presents clinical evidence for the important roles of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis of oral SCC, and suggests that VEGF-C or LVD can effectively predict lymphatic metastasis of oral SCC.
Sugiura
Tsuyoshi
T
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. sugiura@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Inoue
Yoshiko
Y
Matsuki
Ryosuke
R
Ishii
Kotaro
K
Takahashi
Miho
M
Abe
Masakazu
M
Shirasuna
Kanemitsu
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D