Expression of vascular endothelial growth factors-C and -D correlate with evidence of lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

• Published in: Cancer detection and prevention 2007-01, Vol.31 (6), p.436-442
• Main Authors: Zhang, Bo, MD, Zhao, Wen-Hua, MM, Zhou, Wu-Yuan, MM, Yu, Wen-Sheng, MD, Yu, Jin-Ming, MD, Li, Sheng, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Epidemiology; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Intratumoral and peritumoral vessel density; Lymph node metastasis; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphatic system; Lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1; Microlymphatic vessel density; Mortality; Pancreatic adenocarcinoma; Tumors; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular endothelial growth factor-C; Vascular endothelial growth factor-D
• ISSN: 0361-090X; 1877-7821; 1873-443X; 1877-783X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cdp.2007.10.016

Abstract Background : We analyzed the intratumoral and peritumoral microvessel density (MVD) and microlymphatic vessel density (MLVD) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) and recorded the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and -D. These data were tested for their significance for tumor progression. Methods : The tissue samples were obtained from 30 patients with PAC. The expression of VEGF-C and -D, MLVD, MVD was assayed by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of VEGF-A and -C, and -D mRNA was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results : Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of VEGF-C and -D immunoreactivity in 73% (22/30) and 57% (17/30). The positive rates of VEGF-C and -D protein in central portion of tumors (30% and 16.7%) were significantly lower than those in marginal portion (73.3% and 56.7%). The group with high expression of VEGF-C and -D in marginal portion had higher incidence of lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion and venous invasion. The MLVD in both of the VEGF-C and -D positive groups was higher than that in the negative groups, and the lymph node metastasis increased. MVD in the VEGF-C positive group was higher than that in the negative group. Conclusions : The expression of VEGF-C and -D in the marginal portion of tumor significantly associated with lymphatic metastasis and prognosis in patients with PAC, and may induced lymphangiogenesis. VEGF-C was important in the regulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in PAC.