title: Lymphangiogenic VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in genetically characterised gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
abstract: This study aimed to assess the distribution of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and to analyse the value of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in a tumour that is believed to preferentially metastasize through blood vessel conduits. A panel of immunohistochemical antibodies was used to evaluate 51 cases of genetically characterised GISTs: VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, D2-40 (for LVD assessment) and CD31 (for blood vessel density--BDV--assessment). The results were correlated with the clinical-pathological data. The large majority of cases (86.2%; 44/51) showed a mutation of the KIT gene, most of them (72.5%; 37/51) revealing mutations in exon 11. VEGFR-3 was predominantly expressed in KIT mutated GISTs (p=0.019). High LVD was correlated with the absence of metastasis (p=0.010) and high BVD showed a positive correlation with the occurrence of metastasis (p=0.049). The strong expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in GIST's cells was not correlated with the clinical parameters of aggressiveness, nor with high LVD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Surgery and Pathology and Center for Researcher Support, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Pio XII Foundation, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio Talvane Torres
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Rui M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Julieta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Afonso
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Martinho
authors.forename: Delcio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: André Lopes
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Vinícius Lima
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Vazquez
authors.forename: Thiago Buosi
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Cristovam
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scapulatempo
authors.forename: Sarhan Sydney
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.forename: Adhemar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Longatto-Filho
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000737:chemistry; D001938:Brazil; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis*; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; C500987:monoclonal antibody D2-40; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf