Open AccessVEGF-C and VEGF-D expression is correlated with lymphatic vessel density and lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Implications for use as a prognostic marker
Author(s) -
Tetsuro Sugiura,
Yosuke Inoue,
Ryosuke Matsuki,
Kazuya Ishii,
Miho Takahashi,
Masakazu Abé,
Kanemitsu Shirasuna
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.405
H-Index - 122
ISSN - 1019-6439
DOI - 10.3892/ijo_00000193
Subject(s) - lymphangiogenesis , lymphatic vessel , lymphatic system , pathology , metastasis , medicine , vascular endothelial growth factor c , oncogene , lymph node , lymph , cancer , oncology , vascular endothelial growth factor , vegf receptors , cell cycle , vascular endothelial growth factor a
The prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is influenced by the presence of lymph node metastasis. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between lymphangiogenesis and the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in association with lymph node metastasis in oral SCC. Oral SCC biopsy specimens (160 cases) were examined for lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D immunohistochemically. The levels of VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression and LVD were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). The expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D increased the LVD significantly (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that VEGF-C expression and LVD were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). This study presents clinical evidence for the important roles of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis of oral SCC, and suggests that VEGF-C or LVD can effectively predict lymphatic metastasis of oral SCC.