Clinicopathological significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -C in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas to elucidate its role in lymph node metastasis and tumor progression. The expression of VEGF-C and flt-4 genes was examined in 5 esophageal carcinoma cell lines, 12 fresh biopsy specimens and 48 archival surgical specimens of human esophageal carcinoma tissues by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against CD34 (endothelial cell specific) was also carried out and microvessels were quantified by counting vessels in a

Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 expression correlates with macrophage infiltration and tumor vascularity in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas

“…The specimens of examined cancer cells with more than 30% positive cells were considered as positive response to MCP-1 and VEGF, as described previously. 26 …”

“…26 We examined the relations between infiltrating macrophage numbers and VEGF expression level. In 24 (50%) of 48 cases, VEGF immunoreactivity was detected mainly in the cytoplasm of tumor cells (Fig.…”

“…24 Growth of the esophageal tumor is relatively fast and patients with esophageal carcinoma generally have a poor prognosis than that of patients with other kinds of gastrointestinal tumors. 25 We have reported that esophageal squamous carcinoma cells express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C at levels directly correlated with tumor vascularity 26,27 and that the survival rate of patients with high vessel density in the tumor is significantly worse than that of patients with low vessel density in the tumor. 26 Similarly, expression of angiogenic factors such as TGF-␣, PD-ECGF and bFGF by esophageal squamous carcinoma cells is associated with angiogenesis and metastasis.…”

“…25 We have reported that esophageal squamous carcinoma cells express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C at levels directly correlated with tumor vascularity 26,27 and that the survival rate of patients with high vessel density in the tumor is significantly worse than that of patients with low vessel density in the tumor. 26 Similarly, expression of angiogenic factors such as TGF-␣, PD-ECGF and bFGF by esophageal squamous carcinoma cells is associated with angiogenesis and metastasis. 28 Thus, angiogenic factors produced by carcinoma cells may be involved in the angiogenesis of esophageal carcinoma; however, little is known about the role of macrophages in angiogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.…”

Calcium carbonate nanoparticle delivering vascular endothelial growth factor-C siRNA effectively inhibits lymphangiogenesis and growth of gastric cancer in vivo

“…10 Several reports have described a significant correlation between VEGF-C expression, tumor lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph-node metastasis in some tumors. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Therefore, inhibition of VEGF-C activity or disabling VEGF-C receptor function may be useful to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.…”