점막하 침윤 조기위암에서 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C와 VEGF-D의 발현

• Published in: Annals of surgical treatment and research Vol. 74; no. 1; pp. 48 - 53
• Main Authors: 김정구(Jeong Goo Kim), 최명규(Myung Gyu Choi), 박원상(Won Sang Park), 이상철(Sang Chul Lee), 이동호(Dong Ho Lee), 유영경(Young Kyoung You), 안창준(Chang Joon Ahn), 박조현(Cho Hyun Park)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한외과학회 2008
• Subjects: 일반외과학; Lymph node metastasis; VEGF-C; VEGF-D; Early gastric cancer
• ISSN: 2288-6575; 2288-6796

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. (J Korean Surg Soc 2008;74:48-53) KCI Citation Count: 1