VEGF-C及其受体Flt-4在乳腺癌细胞增殖及转移中的作用

背景与目的:血管内皮细胞生长因子-C(vascularendothelialgrowthfactor-C,VEGF-C)是VEGF家族成员之一,是惟一可与淋巴管内皮细胞表面受体VEGFR-3(即fms-liketyrosinekinase-4,Flt-4)结合并调节淋巴管生理功能的因子。目前发现VEGF-C/Flt-4系统在多种肿瘤的转移中起调控作用,但对该系统在乳腺癌方面的研究国内外报道很少。本实验旨在探讨VEGF-C/Flt-4在乳腺癌增殖及转移中的作用和意义。方法:采用免疫组织化学方法对101例乳腺癌组织切片染色,观察乳腺癌组织中VEGF-C、Flt-4、增殖细胞核抗原(proliferatingcellnuclearantigen,PCNA)的表达情况。结果:101例乳腺癌组织中,VEGF-C阳性率为93.1%(94/101),Flt-4阳性率为86.1%(87/101),且Flt-4阳性指数随VEGF-C表达的增强而增加(r=0.816,P<0.001);PCNA的阳性率为88.8%(89/101),且随着VEGF-C表达强度增强,肿瘤细胞增殖活性也随之增强(r=0.673,P<0.001)。VEGF-C阳性指数在转移组(61.89±17.79)明显高于未转移组(44.28±17.87)(P<0.05)。随着癌细胞VEGF-C表达强度增强,Flt-4阳性脉管数也随之增加,各组间均有显著性差异(P<0.001)。乳腺癌中Flt-4阳性脉管数在淋巴结转移组(15.55±3.63)明显高于未转移组(10.71±2.90)(P<0.05)。结论:VEGF-C及其受体Flt-4在人乳腺癌细     

大肠癌VEGF-C Flt-4表达在淋巴管生成及淋巴结转移中的意义

目的:探讨大肠癌组织VEGF-C和Flt-4的表达与淋巴管计数及病理参数的关系.方法:采用酶组织化学方法行淋巴管染色;RT-PCR方法检测VEGF-C及Flt-4的表达.结果:VEGF-C和Flt-4的表达密切相关(P＜0.05),VEGF-C阳性淋巴管数较VEGF-C阴性淋巴管数明显增多(25.16±7.52;17.14±7.22)(P＜0.01).Flt-4阳性淋巴管数较Flt-4阴性淋巴管数明显增多(25.34±7.22,18.93±8.30)(P＜0.05).两者表达均与肿瘤淋巴结转移有关.结论:VEGF-C通过激活Flt-4诱导大肠癌间质中淋巴管增生,为肿瘤细胞向淋巴管转移提供了条件.     

VEGF-C及其受体VEGFR3在乳腺癌的表达、定位及其在淋巴结转移中的作用

目的:研究VEGF-C及其VEGFR3在乳腺癌组织及癌周组织中的表达情况、分布定位及其在乳腺癌淋巴结转移中的作用。方法:采用免疫组化SP法检测70例患者乳腺癌组织及其癌周组织中VEGF-C和VEGFR3的表达情况,CK19染色检测腋窝淋巴结微转移情况。结果:乳腺癌70例,VEGF-C在乳腺癌组织阳性表达率为78.6%,在癌周组织中的表达率为54.3%(P<0.01)。VEGFR3阳性的脉管数在乳腺癌组织为7.90±5.57,瘤周组织中为10.31±6.52(P<0.01)。VEGFR3的表达主要受乳腺癌细胞VEGF-C表达的影响,两者具有明显的相关性(r=0.66,P<0.05)。乳腺癌淋巴管主要定位于癌周组织及肿瘤间质内,癌巢内未发现成熟淋巴管。VEGF-C在乳腺癌组织内的阳性表达率淋巴结微转移阳性组为87.5%,在淋巴转移阴性组为71.1%,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。VEGFR3阳性脉管数在乳腺癌瘤周组织中淋巴转移阳性组为12.48±6.51,淋巴转移阴性组为8.47±6.02,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:VEGF-C在乳腺癌组织肿瘤细胞中呈高表达,而其受体VEGFR3则表达乳腺癌间质和癌周组织的淋巴内皮细胞;乳腺癌新生淋巴管主要定位于癌周及间质;VEGF-C在乳腺癌组织、VEGFR3在癌周组织的表达与乳腺癌淋巴浸润和淋巴结转移密切相关。     

血管内皮生长因子-C mRNA和微血管密度与乳腺癌预后相关性关系的探讨

目的:探讨乳腺癌组织内血管内皮生长因子-C mRNA(VEGF-C mRNA)的表达及微血管密度(MVD),分析MVD和VEGF-CmRNA表达与乳腺癌患者预后的意义.方法:采用原位杂交技术观察92例乳腺浸润性导管癌(IDC)组织中VEGF-C mRNA的表达;CD105(细胞膜糖蛋白)标记乳腺癌组织中微血管并观察MVD.结果:不同组织学分级乳腺IDC组织中VEGF-C mRNA表达差异有统计学意义,P<0.05;在淋巴结转移组VEGF-CmRNA表达明显高于淋巴结未转移组,P<0.01;VEGF-C mRNA表达阳性组MVD明显高于VEGF-C mRNA表达阴性组,P<0.001;淋巴结转移组乳腺癌组织中MVD高于淋巴结未转移组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001),VEGF-C mRNA表达阳性组(高MVD组)较VEGF-C mRNA表达阴性组(低MVD组)5年生存率低,差异有统计学意义,P<0.05.结论:VEGF-C mRNA表达与乳腺癌淋巴结转移及MVD密切相关,检测乳腺癌组织中VEGF-C mRNA表达及观察MVD可能预测乳腺癌预后.     

乳腺癌患者血清与肿瘤组织VEGF-C表达和淋巴管密度的生物学意义

目的:探讨乳腺癌患者术前外周血清中血管内皮生长因子-C(sVEGF-C)水平及术后肿瘤组织中VEGF-C的表达及淋巴管密度(LVD)的水平与肿瘤淋巴转移的关系。方法:ELISA法检测乳腺癌患者术前外周血清VEGF-C水平,免疫组化SP法检测乳腺癌术后肿瘤组织VEGF-C及抗淋巴管内皮透明质酸受体-1(LYVE-1)的表达,并计算对比分析肿瘤组织LVD。结果:乳腺癌患者sVEGF-C值〔(48.30±23.98)ρg/mL〕较乳腺良性病患者〔(6.26±2.37)ρg/mL〕和健康女性〔(4.72±2.09)ρg/mL〕高,组间比较P值均为0.000;sVEGF-C水平与组织VEGF-C表达正相关,VEGF-C阳性表达者sVEGF-C值为(60.75±11.12)ρg/mL,VEGF-C阴性表达者为(29.86±4.47)ρg/mL,差异有统计学意义,P=0.035;sVEGF-C水平、VEGF-C在组织中的表达分别与乳腺癌患者HER-2表达以及腋淋巴结转移相关,P<0.05。VEGF-C、LVD在乳腺癌组织中的表达较乳腺良性病高,LVD与腋淋巴结转移正相关(P=0.018),VEGF-C与LVD正相关,P=0...     

乳腺癌术前及术后血清VEGF-C水平的变化及其临床意义

目的:探讨乳腺癌患者术前及术后血清VEGF-C水平及其与乳腺癌临床病理特征之间的关系。方法:采用ELISA法检测68例可手术乳腺癌患者术前及术后血清VEGF-C水平。分析术前及术后血清VEGF-C水平变化与患者年龄、分期、腋淋巴结转移、激素受体状况及HER-2表达的关系。结果:乳腺癌组术前sVEGF-C水平显著高于乳腺良性疾病组与健康女性志愿者,具有统计学显著性差异(P<0.05);术后第10天血清VEGF-C水平与术前无显著性差异(P>0.05);乳腺癌患者术前sVEGF-C含量与乳腺癌患者年龄、分期、月经状态以及雌孕激素受体状况无关(P>0.05);腋淋巴结阳性组sVEGF-C水平显著高于腋淋巴结阴性组(P<0.05),但与淋巴结转移数目多少无关(P>0.05);HER-2阳性组sVEGF-C水平与阴性组存在显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论:检测可手术乳腺癌患者血清VEGF-C水平对其预后的判定,尤其是对评估腋淋巴结转移有一定临床参考价值,阻断VEGF-C的作用途径可能对阻断乳腺癌的淋巴道转移起到一定作用。     

VEGF-C和VEGF-D在胰腺癌淋巴转移中的意义

目的 分析胰腺癌肿瘤中心和肿瘤周边组织中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)-C、VEGF-D与微血管密度(MVD)、微淋巴管密度(MLVD)的关系,探讨VEGF-C、VEGF-D在胰腺癌淋巴结转移及发展中的意义.方法 免疫组织化学法检测30例胰腺癌组织中VEGF-C、VEGF-D、VEGF受体(VEGFR)-3、CDM蛋白的表达情况.结果 30例胰腺癌中肿瘤周边部位VEGF-C、VEGF-D蛋白阳性率分别为73.3%和56.7%,显著高于肿瘤中心部位(30.0%和16.7%,P<0.01).VEGF-C、VEGF-D高表达的肿瘤周边部位淋巴结转移、淋巴管和血管浸润显著增加(P<0.01).VEGF-C蛋白阳性组MVD高于阴性组,MLVD显著高于阴性组(P<0.01),淋巴结转移增多;VEGF-D蛋白阳性组与阴性组相比MVD无变化(P=0.07),MLVD高于阴性组(P<0.01),淋巴结转移增加.结论 胰腺癌中肿瘤周边区域中VEGF-C、VEGF-D的表达与患者淋巴结转移显著相关,并介导其淋巴管生成;而VEGF-C可能主要参与胰腺癌的血管生成和淋巴管生成的调节,VEGF-D可能仅参与其淋巴管生成的调节.     

VEGF、VEGF-C、flt-4在乳腺癌组织中的表达及临床病理分析

目的：探讨乳腺癌组织中VEGF、VEGF-C、fit-4蛋白的表达水平、相互关系及临床意义，方法：采用免疫组织化学ABC法，检测82例乳腺癌石蜡标本中VEGF、VEGF-C、fit-4蛋白的表达水平。结果：乳腺癌标本中VEGF、VEGF-C、fit-4蛋白的阳性表达率分别为57．3％、46．3％、50．0％，VEGF-C与fit-4蛋白的表达呈正相关。但与乳腺癌组织病理学分型、肿瘤大小和分级无关。结论：VEGF-C、fit-4蛋白的表达与乳腺癌淋巴结转移有关，并可能协同作用于淋巴结转移过程。     

大肠癌组织中VEGF-C和Flt-4及Survivin表达与淋巴转移关系的研究

目的:探讨大肠癌组织中VEGF-C、Flt-4和Survivin表达与淋巴管生成及淋巴结转移的关系。方法:采用酶组织化学方法及免疫组化方法对32例结肠癌组织中VEGF-C、Flt-4和Survivin的表达及淋巴管的生成进行研究。结果:VEGF-C和Flt-4表达密切相关(P<0.01);VEGF-C阳性淋巴管数较其阴性淋巴管数明显增多(27.16±6.56,19.12±6.34),P<0.01;Flt-4阳性淋巴管数较Flt-4阴性淋巴管数明显增多(27.46±7.32,20.13±7.64),两者表达均与淋巴结转移相关,P<0.05;Survivin阳性淋巴管计数与其阴性淋巴管计数(22.16±6.32,21.97±6.53)差异无统计学意义,P>0.05,三者的表达均与肿瘤的淋巴结转移相关。结论:Survivin影响VEGF-C的活性,VEGF-C可以激活间质中的Flt-4从而刺激淋巴管增生,为肿瘤细胞的淋巴结转移提供了必要的条件。     

VEGF-C及其受体Flt-4在原发性非小细胞肺癌中的表达及意义

背景与目的:探讨血管内皮生长因子C(VascularendothelialgrowthfactorC,VEGF-C)及其受体Flt-4(Fms-liketyrosinekinase4)在人非小细胞肺癌(Non-smallcelllungcancer,NSCLC)组织中的表达及与临床意义。材料与方法:采用半定量的RT-PCR及免疫组化法检测40例NSCLC、12例癌旁组织及免疫组化法(S-P法)检测60例NSCLC原发灶组织、10例癌旁组织、32例伴转移的淋巴结组织中VEGF-C、Flt-4的表达。结果:RT-PCR法:NSCLC中VEGF-CmRNA及Flt-4mRNA的相对含量均明显高于癌旁组织;与淋巴结转移正相关;与肺癌的组织类型、病理分级无关。VEGF-CmRNA与肺癌的TNM分期正相关。S-P法:VEGF-C和Flt-4在转移的淋巴结癌细胞中、NSCLC和癌旁组织中的表达各组间差异有显著意义;VEGF-C表达与肺癌TNM分期正相关;VEGF-C和Flt-4表达与淋巴结转移正相关,与肿瘤组织类型、病理分级无关;NSCLC中Flt-4阳性微脉管数在淋巴结转移组明显高于无淋巴结转移组,差异有显著意义。结论:在NSCLC组织中VEGF-C基因水平上调,是由肺癌细胞分泌,并通过自分泌方式作用于细胞膜上的Flt-4受体,与非小细胞肺癌的发生有一定关系;VEGF-C与肿瘤恶性进展有关;VEGF-C与NSCLC中淋巴管的生成及淋巴结转移密切相关;VEGF-C表达可做为肺癌患者判断淋巴转移的估计指标之一。     

VEGF及其受体Flt和KDR水平变化与胶质瘤关系及临床意义

 目的 探讨胶质瘤患者血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）及其受体Flt-1和KDR水平变化，为评价胶质瘤治疗效果，判断预后寻找一种科学的生物学标志物。方法 收集治疗前后胶质瘤患者、脑转移癌患者和健康对照者血清，进行VEGF，Flt-1和KDR水平的检测，SPSS11.5统计软件包对数据进行t检验和相关分析。结果 （1）治疗前脑胶质瘤和脑转移瘤患者血清VEGF水平明显高于健康对照组； 脑胶质瘤患者组和脑转移瘤患者组血清Flt-1水平明显高于健康对照组；脑胶质瘤患者组血清KDR水平明显高于健康对照组； 治疗后缓解的胶质瘤患者组VEGF和Flt-1水平明显低于治疗前。差异均有统计学意义。（2） VEGF与Flt-1和KDR有显著的相关性。结论 胶质瘤患者血清中VEGF及其受体的检测，可作为胶质瘤辅助诊断、治疗效果监测和预后判断的重要生物学指标。     

The clinical toxicity profile of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) targeting angiogenesis inhibitors; a review

Clinical experience with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) targeting angiogenesis inhibitors is rapidly increasing, and some compounds have already been approved for regular anticancer treatment.Apart from their activity, much attention has been focussed on the clinical toxicity profile of these compounds.This review describes the most frequently occurring side-effects of both antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors and discusses some of the underlying mechanisms. Some practical guidelines for treatment of the side-effects are given.     

血管内皮生长因子及其受体与骨肉瘤关系的研究进展

血管内皮生长因子（ＶＥＧＦ）是一种序列高度保守、高度特异性的促血管内皮细胞生长因子,广泛分布于人和动物体内的大脑、肾脏、肝脏、脾脏、胰腺和骨骼等组织中,对内皮细胞具有强烈的促有丝分裂作用,刺激血管内皮细胞增殖和血管通透性增加,促进新生血管形成。ＶＥＧＦ通过与血管内皮细胞表面受体（ＶＥＧＦＲ）特异性结合发挥生物学效应。抑制ＶＥＧＦ及ＶＥＧＦＲ的活性可以减缓或阻滞骨肉瘤侵袭和转移。研究表明,ＶＥＧＦ及ＶＥＧＦＲ对肿瘤血管及淋巴管的生成及肿瘤侵袭和转移起重要作用。本文对ＶＥＧＦ及ＶＥＧＦＲ与骨肉瘤血管与淋巴管生成及其侵袭与转移的关系作一综述。     

Use of soluble recombinant decoy receptor vascular endothelial growth factor trap (VEGF Trap) to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor activity

Primary tumors and metastases require blood vessel formation to support their continued growth and eventual metastasis. They use existing vasculature during initial growth but eventually must orchestrate the development and maintenance of new vessels--a process termed angiogenesis--to grow beyond a small size and spread. Angiogenesis is regulated by a number of soluble factors, the relative proportions of which can exacerbate or inhibit the process. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, produced by the majority of human solid tumors. Inhibitors of VEGF might have an impact on the growth and metastasis of these cancers. The relevance of this strategy to the treatment of colorectal cancer was first successfully demonstrated in human clinical trials using a monoclonal antibody against VEGF. A potent antiangiogenic soluble recombinant decoy, VEGF Trap is a protein constructed from VEGF receptor-binding domains linked to an immunoglobulin G(1) constant region. It possesses an affinity for VEGF that is significantly higher than that of the monoclonal antibody. VEGF Trap has demonstrated marked efficacy in halting angiogenesis and shrinking tumors in preclinical animal models and is currently being studied in phase I clinical trials in humans with advanced solid malignancies.     

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a prognostic indicator in sarcoma and carcinoma patients

Tumor growth and the development of metastases are dependent on the local formation of new blood vessels. A major role in the induction of angiogenesis has been assigned to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a tumor cell-derived endothelium-specific mitogen. We studied whether blood levels of VEGF are increased in sarcoma and carcinoma patients. In addition, we tested whether data from measurements of serum VEGF are of prognostic value with respect to tumor remission during chemotherapy courses of sarcoma patients. First, we measured the concentration of VEGF in the sera of 60 normal volunteers and of 25 untreated patients suffering from solid tumors (13 sarcomas, 12 carcinomas). Second, we studied the level of serum VEGF in 9 tumor patients during 4 courses of ICE-chemotherapy (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide). VEGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The concentrations of serum VEGF were significantly higher (P <0.0001) in untreated sarcoma (933+/-132 pg/ml) and carcinoma (1,257+/-169 pg/ml) patients compared to those of normal subjects (239+/-21 pg/ml). The concentration of VEGF was roughly proportional to the tumor mass. A significant fall in serum VEGF occurred in the 6 patients who responded to chemotherapy with tumor remission but not in the patient who were resistant. The concentration of serum VEGF is an indicator of tumor growth in sarcoma and carcinoma patients and thus of prognostic value. Serum VEGF measurements may be clinically useful for monitoring tumor regression in sarcoma patients undergoing chemotherapy.     

Blockage of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) reduces experimental pleurodesis

Background and objective

Chemical pleurodesis controls recurrent malignant pleural effusion. The mechanism that determines pleural symphysis involves the action of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We assessed the influence of the anti-VEGF antibody (bevacizumab) on pleurodesis induced by talc or silver nitrate and analyzed the temporal development of pleural angiogenesis.

Methods

Sixty New Zealand rabbits received intrapleural injection (2 mL) of talc (400 mg/kg) or 0.5% silver nitrate. In each group, half of the animals received an intravenous injection of bevacizumab 30 min before the sclerosing agent. Five animals from each group were euthanized 7, 14, or 28 days after the procedure. Adhesions and inflammation (scores: 0-4), thickness (μm), vascular density (vessels/field), and collagen fibers (μm²) were evaluated in the visceral pleura.

Results

Antibody anti-VEGF interferes in pleurodesis induced by talc or silver nitrate. Pleural inflammation was discreet with no difference between the groups, regardless the anti-VEGF treatment. Concerning the vascular density of the visceral pleura, a smaller number of neoformed vessels was noted in the animals that received bevacizumab. In the animals receiving silver nitrate, the decrement in adhesions and vascular density was associated with reduced thick and thin collagen fibers, resulting in less pleural thickness.

Conclusion

The anti-VEGF antibody inhibits adhesions between pleural layers. Despite being an experimental study in animals with normal pleura, the results call attention to a likely lack of success in pleurodesis when VEGF blockers are used.     

In vivo neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) vascular permeability factor (VPF) inhibits ovarian carcinoma-associated ascites formation and tumor growth

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/ vascular permeability factor (VPF) is emerging as an important growth factor in a variety of tumor types. As a potent endothelial cell mitogen and vascular permeabilizing agent, VEGF/VPF has the unique functional capacity to mediate the component events of solid tumor neovascularization and ascites tumor growth. In the present series of investigations, our experimental hypothesis was that VEGF/VPF is a critical mediator of ovarian carcinoma-associated ascites formation and solid tumor growth. Athymic nude mice xenotransplanted with human ovarian carcinoma cell lines received either a preimmune rabbit serum or VEGF/VPF antiserum. Compared with the control group receiving the preimmune serum, the antiserum-treated animals displayed a 10- and 12-fold reduction in ascites accumulation and solid tumor growth, respectively. The administration of a neutralizing antiserum to VEGF/VPF conferred a modest survival advantage to animals harboring intraperitoneal tumors. These data demonstrate the significance of VEGF/VPF in the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma and suggest that interventions targeting this growth factor and/or its receptor may be of therapeutic value in the management of ovarian cancer.     

Micro-vessel density and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PdEGF) in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

There is little information to date regarding the role of angiogenesis in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The present study examines micro-vessel density and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PdEGF) in lymph node biopsies of patients with HL at presentation and relapse. Using immunohistochemistry, the degree of new blood vessel formation and the expression of VEGF and PdEGF was assessed in Hodgkin-rich tissue. The micro-vessel density (MVD) increased with disease progression in seven out of 11 cases. Expression of VEGF was observed in endothelial cells (EC) of some micro-vessels and also in follicular dendritic cells. The Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells as well as the inflammatory lymphocytes were negative for VEGF. Cytoplasmic or cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of PdEGF by the H-RS cells was observed in five of the 11 presentation cases. The expression of PdEGF increased with disease progression in seven cases. In conclusion, Hodgkin tissue shows prominent vascularization. The increased MVD and PdEGF expression with disease progression merits further investigation.     

Pancreatic carcinoma cells express neuropilins and vascular endothelial growth factor, but not vascular endothelial growth factor receptors

BACKGROUND: Neuropilins (NRPs) are characterized as coreceptors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In the current study, the authors assessed the expression of NRPs, VEGF, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), as well as VEGF-induced cell proliferation, in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and tissue specimens. METHODS: Human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (Panc-1 and MIA PaCa-2), normal human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (HPDE), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured. Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue specimens were also studied. Expression levels of NRPs, VEGFRs, and VEGF were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunostaining. Cell proliferation was examined using a [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. RESULTS: Both NRP-1 and NRP-2 were expressed in Panc-1 cells, HPDE cells, and HUVECs but were expressed minimally in MIA PaCa-2 cells. Panc-1 expressed 30 times more NRP-1 mRNA than NRP-2 mRNA. NRP-1 levels in Panc-1 cells were 5.3 times higher than in HPDE cells but were similar to NRP-1 levels in HUVECs. NRP-2 levels in Panc-1 cells were similar to NRP-2 levels in HPDE cells but lower than NRP-2 levels in HUVECs. Expression of all three VEGFRs was observed only in HUVECs. However, VEGF mRNA was detected in all cell types except for HUVECs. NRP-1 immunoreactivity levels were much higher than NRP-2 immunoreactivity levels in Panc-1 and human pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue specimens, whereas VEGFRs were not detected in either of these two settings. In response to VEGF165, [3H]thymidine incorporation in Panc-1 cells increased significantly (by 61%; P < 0.01). A monoclonal antibody against human NRP-1 significantly blocked VEGF-induced cell proliferation in Panc-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The pancreatic carcinoma cell line Panc-1 and adenocarcinoma tissue specimens expressed high levels of NRP-1 and VEGF, but not VEGFRs, and exogenous VEGF significantly increased NRP-1-mediated, but not VEGFR-mediated, Panc-1 cell proliferation. These data suggested that NRP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic carcinoma.