The Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D in Early Gastric Cancer That's Invaded the Submucosa

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D are considered novel growth factors that potentially induce lymphangiogenesis and hyperplasia of lymphatic vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expressions of VEGF-C and VEGF-D are associated with the clinicophathologic factors, and particularly lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis, in early gastric cancers that's invaded the submucosa. METHODS: Using immunohistochemical staining, we studied the VEGF-C and VEGF-D expressions in the gastric cancer specimens from 83 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy. RESULTS: The VEGF-C and VEGF-D immunoreactivity was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. There was a positive VEGF-C expression in 27 of 83 cases (32.5%). The VEGF-D positivity rate was lower than the VEGF-C positivity rate. VEGF-D was positive in 20 of 83 cases (24.0%). A VEGF-C positive expression was associated with lymphatic invasion (P=0.018) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.001). However, the expression of VEGF-D had no correlation with any of the clinicopathologic factors, including lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: The VEGF-C expression may have a role in lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer cells. The VEGF-C expression in tumor specimens may be a reliable marker for lymph node metastasis of early gastric cancer that's invaded the submucosa.