[Relationship between clinicopathologic characteristics and expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in esophageal squamous cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between clinicopathologic characteristics and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C, D (VEGF-C and VEGF-D) in esophageal squamous cancer.


METHODS
The tumor tissues were collected from 62 cases of esophageal squamous carcinoma, and 20 paracancerous tissues were used as control. The expressions of VEGF-C and VEGF-D were detected by immunohistochemical method, and the count of micro lymphatic density(MLD) was measured. We analyzed their relationships with tumor clinicopathologic characteristics.


RESULTS
The expression rate of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in 62 cases of esophageal squamous carcinoma were 74% and 82%. MLD in tumor border tissue was obviously higher than that in the normal paracancerous tissue (5.387 +/- 4.986 vs. 1.900 +/- 2.245) (P < 0.05). The positive lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage were more common in the cases with higher expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. There were significant associations of high MLD with high expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D, positive lymphod node status and advanced clinical stages. Expression levels of VEGF-C and VEGF-D correlated significantly with each other (r = 0.691, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-C and VEGF-D might promote lymphatic metastasis by inducing lymphangiogenesis especially at the edge of esophageal squamous carcinoma tissue.
Jiang
Ming
M
Center of Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Gou
Hong-feng
HF
Yang
Yu
Y
Cao
Dan
D
Hou
Mei
M
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D