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Vascular endothelial growth factor‐C and ‐D expression correlates with lymph node micrometastasis in pN0 early gastric cancer
Author(s) -
Arigami Takaaki,
Natsugoe Shoji,
Uenosono Yoshikazu,
Yanagita Shigehiro,
Ehi Katsuhiko,
Arima Hideo,
Mataki Yuko,
Nakajo Akihiro,
Ishigami Sumiya,
Aikou Takashi
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.21228
Subject(s) - micrometastasis , medicine , lymph , lymph node , lymphangiogenesis , pathology , cancer , vascular endothelial growth factor c , h&e stain , metastasis , vascular endothelial growth factor , immunohistochemistry , cancer research , vascular endothelial growth factor a , vegf receptors
Background and Objectives Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)‐C and ‐D play an important role in lymphangiogenesis, and the expressions of these factors are related to lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis in various malignant neoplasms. The present study investigates the expression of VEGF‐C and ‐D in early gastric cancer and analyzes its relationship to lymph node micrometastasis determined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Methods We examined 1,828 lymph nodes obtained from 80 patients with node‐negative early gastric cancer. All dissected lymph nodes were examined by RT‐PCR for CEA mRNA in addition to hematoxylin–eosin staining. The resected primary specimens were immunostained using anti‐VEGF‐C and ‐D polyclonal antibodies. Results The incidence of lymph node micrometastasis determined by RT‐PCR was 23.8% (19/80). The high expression of VEGF‐C and ‐D was found in 27.5% (22/80) and in 21.3% (17/80), respectively. The expression of VEGF‐C and ‐D was closely related to lymph node micrometastasis ( P = 0.0390 and 0.0213, respectively). Conclusions We demonstrated a close relationship between micrometastasis and VEGF‐C and ‐D expression of the primary tumor. Thus, levels of VEGF‐C and ‐D expression might be useful for predicting micrometastasis in patients with early gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99: 148–153. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.