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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2006; 12(28): 4582-4585
Published online Jul 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i28.4582
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and angiogenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Ming-Xing Ding, Xing-Qiu Lin, Xiao-Yan Fu, Ning Zhang, Ji-Cheng Li
Ming-Xing Ding, Xing-Qiu Lin, Xiao-Yan Fu, Ning Zhang, School of Medicine, Jinhua College of Profession & Technology, Jinhua 321007, Zhejiang Province, China
Ji-Cheng Li, Institute of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, Zhejiang Province, China
Correspondence to: Ming-Xing Ding, School of Medicine, Jinhua College of Profession and Technology, Jinhua 321007, Zhejiang Province, China. mxding@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-579-2265103 Fax: +86-579-2265224
Received: February 22, 2006
Revised: March 2, 2006
Accepted: March 20, 2006
Published online: July 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C) mRNA and microvessel density (MVD) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relationship with clinical significance.

METHODS: Specimens obtained from 43 patients undergoing surgical resection for ESCC were used in this study. The expression of VEGF-C mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization. Tumor MVD was determined immunohistochemically with anti-CD31 antibody and estimated by image analysis. Ten sections of adjacent normal mucosa were also examined.

RESULTS: VEGF-C mRNA expression was detected in cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. Of the 43 ESCC patients studied, 18 cases (41.9%) were positive for VEGF-C mRNA. No VEGF-C mRNA expression was observed in normal esophageal mucosa. VEGF-C mRNA expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and depth of invasion (P < 0.05). Furthermore, histological grade (differentiation) tended to correlate with VEGF-C mRNA expression, but was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In tumor lesions, the MVD was significantly greater than that in normal esophageal mucosa. MVD correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and depth of invasion (P < 0.05), but not with histological grade (differentiation) (P > 0.05). Lesions with VEGF-C mRNA expression had a significantly higher MVD than that of those without VEGF-C mRNA expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: VEGF-C plays a role in lymphatic metastasis via lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in ESCC. VEGF-C is one of the important predictors of the biological behavior in ESCC.

Keywords: Vascular endothelial growth factor-c; Esophageal carcinoma; Angiogenesis; Microvessel density; Lymph node metastasis; In situ hybridization