Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 and nm23-H1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>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).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The high expressions of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 and inactivation of nm23-H(1) may play an important role in lymphatic metastasis in OSCC.</p>