Upregulation of basic fibroblast growth factor in breast carcinoma and its relationship to vascular density, oestrogen receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor and survival

Background: Angiogenesis, the process whereby endothelial cells divide and migrate to form new blood capillaries, has been assessed in tumours by measuring microvessel density. High microvessel density is a significant adverse prognostic factor in breast cancer. The angiogenic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), has been associated with tumourigenesis and metastasis in several human cancers. There are few quantitative studies of bFGF expression in normal tissues compared to cancer.Patients and methods: We have measured bFGF levels in 149 human primary breast carcinomas and assessed the findings in relation to microvessel density, oestrogen receptor (ER) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).Basic FGF levels were measured by ELISA. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were carreid out to confirm the presence of bFGF.Results: Levels of bFGF were more than 10-fold higher in tumour cytosols compared to reduction mammoplasty tissue and 3-fold compared to non neoplastic cytosols from the same breast as the tumour (P < 0.0001). Immunohistochemistry showed bFGF protein was localised exclusively in the stroma whereas no bFGF staining was observed in the epithelial cells. High bFGF levels were significantly related to high ER (P = 0.01). Similarly, high bFGF levels were significantly related to low grade (P = 0.046) and to small tumour size (P = 0.04). No significant relationship was observed between bFGF and microvessel count, EGFR or age. In univariate analysis and in a Cox proportional hazard model bFGF did not reach significance for overall or relapse free survival.Conclusions: Our results show that although bFGF is elevated in breast carcinomas compared to normal breast tissue it is not related to microvessel density and it is not an independent predictor of survival in breast cancer patients. Basic FGF may be one of multiple factors that synergise with other growth factors such as VEGF to enhance angiogenesis.     

微血管定量和血管内皮生长因子表达在肠型胃癌中的意义

为研究血管形成和血管形成因子表达在肠型胃癌和弥漫型胃癌中的作用，应用抗因子Ⅷ相关抗原抗体、抗ＶＥＧＦ抗体及抗ｂＦＧＦ抗体的免疫组化ＬＳＡＢ法，分别对６３例肠型胃癌和４５例弥漫型胃癌中的微血管数量（ＭＶＣ）、ＶＥＧＦ和ｂＦＧＦ表达进行研究。ＭＶＣ和ＶＥＧＦ及ｂＦＧＦ表达在肠型胃癌明显高于弥漫型胃癌（Ｐ分别＜０．０５，０．００１和０．０１），同样，ＭＶＣ和ＶＥＧＦ表达在肝转移患者明显高于腹膜转移者（Ｐ分别＝０．００１和＜０．０１）；在肠型胃癌中，ＭＶＣ与ＶＥＧＦ表达明显相关（Ｐ＝０．０２），ＭＶＣ和ＶＥＧＦ表达随ＴＮＭ分期增加而增加，而与弥漫型胃癌无关。两型胃癌中的ｂＦＧＦ表达均与ＭＶＣ无关。本研究结果表明肠型胃癌的转移形式为血管依赖性，ＶＥＧＦ可能是诱导肠型胃癌血管形成的一个重要因子。     

Clinicoprognostic implications of increased serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblastic growth factor in early B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

To assess the relative merit of increased serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblastic growth factor in predicting the risk of disease progression of patients with early B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia we analyzed 81 Binet stage A patients whose sera were taken at the time of diagnosis and evaluated for the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor positively correlated with Rai sub-stages (P=0.03), peripheral blood lymphocytosis (P=0.03), bone marrow histology (P=0.04) and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m) (P=0.006). When dealing with basic fibroblast growth factor only a correlation with Rai sub-stages (P=0.02) could be found. Different cut-offs set on the basis of a stratification in quartiles, failed to demonstrate any correlation between serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor and disease progression. In contrast, patients with increased serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (above median value, 203 pg ml(-1)) had a three times increased risk of disease progression, although, in multivariate analysis only Rai sub-stages (P=0.0001) and lymphocyte doubling time (P=0.002) retained their prognostic significance. Low levels of vascular endothelial growth factor were indicative of good clinical outcome in the subgroup of patients with either low (P=0.02) or high (P=0.03) beta2-m concentration. Finally, the highest prognostic power was obtained when serum vascular endothelial growth factor and beta2-m were examined in combination. Median of progression-free survival of patients who had both serum vascular endothelial growth factor and beta2-m higher than median value was only 13 months, in contrast median progression-free survival of patients with one marker increased (i.e. above the 50th percentile) was 40 months. Patients with both markers below the median experienced the best clinical outcome (median progression-free survival not reached at 40 months). In conclusion, serum levels of either vascular endothelial growth factor or basic fibroblast growth factor are high in patients with early chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, however, only vascular endothelial growth factor predicts behaviour of disease and helps to refine the prognosis of stage A patients.     

微血管计数和血管内皮生长因子在胃癌浸润转移中的作用

目的：研究微血管计数（MVC）和血管内皮生长因子在胃癌组织中的表达情况，探讨其与临床病理特征的关系及在胃癌浸润转移中的作用。方法：应用免疫组织化学ABC法，检测11例正常胃黏膜及253例胃癌组织中MVC，血管内皮生长因子（VEGF），碱性成纤维细胞行政管理茵子（bFGF)的表达。结果：肿瘤组织MVC内明显高于下胃黏膜组织（P＜0．01），肿瘤组织中VEGF和bFGF阳性率分别为67．6％（171／253）和9．5％（24／253），VEGF的表达与分化程度，TNM分期，转移（淋巴结，腹膜，肝等）密切相关（P＜0．01），胃癌组织VEGF阳性组的MVC明显高于阴性组（P＜0．01），VEGF表达阳性者复发转移率明显高于VEGF阴性者（P＜0．01），VEGF阳性患者的预后明显较阴性者差。结论：高MVC及VEGF表达是胃癌的独立预后因子。VEGF可能通过诱导血管生存在胃癌的浸润转移中起重要作用。     

血管内皮生长因子、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及临床意义

目的：探讨血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF)在非小细胞肺癌（Non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)中的表达及临床意义。方法：应用免疫组织化学方法检测96例NSCLC组织中VEGF、bFGF蛋白水平的表达，其中36例应用RT－PCR技术检测上述基因mRNA表达。结果：NSCLC中VEGF mRNA主要表达分泌性VEGF121和VEGF165，阳性率分别为69．5％（25／36）和41．7％（15／36），bFGF mRNA阳性率为52．8％（19／36）；免疫组化显示VEGF、bFGF阳性表达率分别为55．6％（20／36）和58．3％（21／36），二者之间呈正相关（P＝0．002）；VEGF、bFGF表达与患者年龄、性别、病理类型、分化程度、TNM分期、肿瘤转移、生存期等临床资料之间无统计学意义。结论：VEGF、bFGF在NSCLC血管形成中起重要作用，且二者具有协同作用。     

非小细胞肺癌血管生成因子与耐药相关基因关系的研究

目的:探讨血管生成因子(VEGF、bFGF)和耐药相关基因(MDR1、MRP、LRP)在非小细胞肺癌(non-smallcelllungcancer,NSCLC)中的表达及相互关系。方法:应用免疫组化技术检测96例NSCLC组织中VEGF、bFGF、MDR1、MRP、LRP蛋白表达,其中36例应用RT-PCR技术检测上述基因mRNA表达。结果:VEGF、bFGF、MDR1、MRP、LRPmRNA表达率分别为69.5%(25/36)、52.8%(19/36)、33.3%(12/36)、52.8%(19/36)、50.0%(18/36);蛋白表达率分别为51.0%(49/96)、58.3%(56/96)、45.8%(44/96)、59.4%(57/96)、64.6%(62/96),各基因mRNA表达与蛋白表达基本一致。统计分析表明:VEGF表达与MDR1、LRP表达相关(P=0.025,P=0.022),与MRP表达无关(P=0.428);bFGF表达与MDR1、LRP表达相关(P=0.001,P=0.012),并与MRP+LRP共表达相关(P=0.001)。结论:在非小细胞肺癌中血管生成因子与耐药相关基因具有一定的相关性。     

膀胱移行细胞癌中bFGF的表达及其与微血管定量的关系

目的：为了探讨膀胱移行细胞癌中碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（ｂＦＧＦ）的表达及其与血管形成定量的关系。方法：应用免疫组织化学方法,对６２例原发性膀胱移行细胞癌组织中ｂＦＧＦ进行检测,并对浸润性膀胱癌组织中微血管进行定量研究。结果：膀胱癌中ｂＦＧＦ阳性表达率为４６．８％,与病理分级、临床分期、复发及预后有关（Ｐ〈０．０５）,与浸润性癌组织中微血管定量呈正相关（Ｐ〈０．０５）,结论：ｂＦＧＦ表达对膀胱癌生物学行为有重要影响,ｂＦＧＦ是膀胱癌血管形成过程中一个主要血管生成因子,ｂＦＧＦ表达和血管形成的定量有可能成为预测膀胱癌复发、转移和预后的重要指标。     

Clinical implications of expression of ETS-1 related to angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. During angiogenesis, ETS-1 is strongly expressed in vascular endothelial cells and the adjacent interstitial cells, while the inhibition of ETS-1 expression leads to suppression of angiogenesis. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of ETS-1 in relation to angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients underwent resection for uterine endometrial cancers. From the tissues of 60 uterine endometrial cancers, the levels of ets-1 mRNA, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and interleukin (IL)-8 were determined by competitive RT-PCR using recombinant RNA and enzyme immunoassay, and the localization and counts of microvessel were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between microvessel count and ets-1 gene expression levels in uterine endometrial cancers. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the localization of ETS-1 was similar to that of vascular endothelial cells. The level of ets-1 mRNA tended to increase with increasing disease stage. Furthermore, the level of ets-1 mRNA correlated with levels of VEGF in well-differentiated adenocarcinomas (G1) and of bFGF in moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas (G2) and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (G3). CONCLUSIONS: ETS-1 is a possible angiogenic mediator in uterine endometrial cancers.     

EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR AND BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR IN HUMAN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER AND THEIR CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Solid tumors contain tumor cells and vascular systems[1]. The growth and metastasis of solid tumors beyond 1-2mm in diameter depends on neovascularization. So the study of neovascularization helps to explain the biologic behavior of tumor. Angiogenesis is a complicated process mediated by a variety of angiogenic factors, which include vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF). VEGF is an endothelial cell-specific mitogen with a pivotal role and may a…     

膀胱癌中bFGF和血管形成的研究

目的：探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（ｂＦＧＦ）和血管形成与膀胱癌的发病及生物学行为之间关系。方法：采用免疫组化方法检测７２例膀胱癌组织和２１例正常膀胱组织中ｂＦＧＦ和第ＶＩＩＩ因子相关抗原表达。结果：膀胱癌组织中ｂＦＧＦ表达和微血管密度（ＭＶＤ）均显高于正常膀胱胱组织，而且两与肿瘤病理分级分期均密切相关。肿瘤复发的ｂＦＧＦ表达和ＭＶＤ均显高于复发，ｂＦＧＦ强阳性表达的ＭＶＤ值显高于阴性及弱阳性表达，结论：ｂＦＧＦ通过促进血管形成而在膀胱癌的发生发展过程中起着重要的作用，而且ｂＦＧＦ和ＭＶＤ可作为膀胱癌生物行为和预后的评估指标。     

p53与HPV16、18型感染在肺鳞癌中的相关研究

 目的　探讨HPV与p5 3基因突变在肺鳞癌发病中的相互作用。方法　肺癌组织标本的p5 3基因序列 5～ 8外显子突变分析应用单链构象多态性分析多聚酶链反应EB染色法 (PCR SSCP EB) ,HPV1 6、1 8型DNA相关序列的检测应用PCR法。结果　 40例肺鳞癌组织标本p5 3基因突变率为 67.5 % ,其中外显子 5～ 8突变率分别为 1 7.5 %、1 2 .5 %、1 7.5 %、2 0 %。肺鳞癌组织中HPV1 6、1 8DNA相关序列的检出率为 42 .5 %。p5 3基因突变与HPVDNA序列的检出之间呈显著负相关。 结论　p5 3基因突变与HPV感染在肺鳞癌的发病过程中可能存在相互促进作用。     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子及其受体与肺癌新生血管(英文)

目的探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子及其受体促进肺癌新生血管形成的机制。方法收集56份原发性支气管肺癌的标本,采用免疫组化 SABC 法检测微血管密度(MVD)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)及其受体(FGFR-1)在肺癌组织中的表达状况.用 Kaplan-Meier 方法比较高、低血管密度组的生存时间。结果 (1)肿瘤组织 MVD 与患者的性别、年龄、病理类型、T 分期、M 分期无相关性,与 N 分期(P<0.01)和临床分期(P<0.05)关系密切。(2)高血管密度组的患者生存时间短,预后差(P<0.01)。(3)肺癌组织中的 bFGF 与 FGFR-1的表达也同 N 分期(P<0.05)和临床分期(P<0.05)相关。(4)肺癌组织中的 bFGF 表达在低血管密度组和高密度组的表达有显著性差异(P<0.01),FGFR-1在不同血管密度组的表达差异不明显。(5)肺癌组织中 bFGF 与 FGFR-1的表达具有一致性。结论(1)肺癌组织的微血管密度和 bFGF 的表达可以作为评估疗效、推测预后的指标。(2)bFGF 和 FGFR-1结合后,对肺癌新生血管的形成具有促进作用。     

Vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and angiogenesis in non-small-cell lung cancer

High microvessel density, an indirect measure of angiogenesis, has been shown to correlate with increased tumour size, lymph node involvement and poor prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumour cell vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) expression correlate with angiogenesis and a poor outcome in this disease. In a retrospective study VEGF and PD-ECGF expression and microvessel density were evaluated immunohistochemically in surgically resected specimens (T1-3, N0-2) from 223 patients with operable NSCLC using the VG1, P-GF.44C and JC70 monoclonal antibodies respectively. High VEGF immunoreactivity was seen in 104 (46.6%) and PD-ECGF in 72 (32.3%) cases and both were associated with high vascular grade tumours (P= 0.009 and P= 0.05 respectively). Linear regression analysis revealed a weak positive correlation between VEGF and PD-ECGF expression in cancer cells (r= 0.21; P = 0.002). Co-expression of VEGF and PD-ECGF was not associated with a higher microvessel density than VEGF or PD-ECGF only expressing tumours. Furthermore a proportion of high vascular grade tumours expressed neither growth factor. Univariate analysis revealed tumour size, nodal status, microvessel density and VEGF and PD-ECGF expression as significant prognostic factors. Tumour size (P < 0.02) and microvessel density (P < 0.04) remained significant on multivariate analysis. In conclusion, VEGF and PD-ECGF are important angiogenic growth factors and have prognostic significance in NSCLC. Furthermore the study underlines the prognostic significance of microvessel density in operable NSCLC.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子及其受体与肺癌新生血管

目的探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子及其受体促进肺癌新生血管形成的机制。方法收集56份原发性支气管肺癌的标本,采用免疫组化SABC法检测微血管密度(MVD)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(hFGF)及其受体(FGFR-1)在肺癌组织中的表达状况.用Kaplan-Meier方法比较高、低血管密度组的生存时间。结果(1)肿瘤组织MVD与患者的性别、年龄、病理类型、T分期、M分期无相关性,与N分期(P<0.01)和临床分期(P<0.05)关系密切。(2)高血管密度组的患者生存时间短,预后差(P<0.01)。(3)肺癌组织中的bFGF与FGFR-1的表达也同N分期(P<0. 05)和临床分期(P<0.05)相关。(4)肺癌组织中的bFGF表达在低血管密度组和高密度组的表达有显著性差异(P<0.01),FGFR- 1在不同血管密度组的表达差异不明显。(5)肺癌组织中bFGF与FGFR-1的表达具有一致性。结论(1)肺癌组织的微血管密度和bFGF的表达可以作为评估疗效、推测预后的指标。(2)bFGF和FGFR-1结合后,对肺癌新生血管的形成具有促进作用。     

血清VEGF、bFGF与乳腺癌生物学行为的关系

目的：探讨VEGF、bFGF与乳腺癌的生物学行为的关系,复发转移患者血清VEGF、bFGF的表达水平与化疗疗效的关系。方法：应用ABC—ELISA方法检测乳腺癌患者血清VEGF、bFGF的表达情况。结果：术前未作放化疗的乳腺癌患者术前血清VEGF、bFGF表达水平明显高于健康体检者、乳腺腺瘤患者（P〈0．05）,也明显高于同组患者术后血清VEGF、bFGF表达水平（P〈0．05）。术前未作放化疗的乳腺癌患者术前血清VEGF、bFGF的表达水平与原发肿瘤的大小、TNM分期、淋巴结转移有关。术前未作放化疗的乳腺癌患者术前血清VEGF与bFGF的表达水平呈正相关（r=0．210,P〈0．05）。乳腺癌复发转移组化疗前血清VEGF、bF—GF的表达水平比健康体检者及无病生存组明显增高（P〈0．05）。乳腺癌复发转移组化疗后CR＋PR组血清VEGF、bFGF表达水平比化疗前明显减低（P〈0．05）;化疗后NC＋PD组血清VEGF、bFGF表达水平比化疗前略高,但没有显著性差异（P〉0．05）。乳腺癌复发转移组化疗后CR＋PR组血清VEGF、bFGF表达水平比NC＋PD组明显降低（P〈0．05）。结论：乳腺癌患者血清VEGF、bFGF的表达水平与乳腺癌生物学行为有关,而且与化疗疗效有关,提示通过检测乳腺癌患者血清VEGF、bFGF的表达水平可能对乳腺癌的诊断、客观预测肿瘤的复发转移、选择合理有效的治疗方案有一定的参考价值。     

Hpa和bFGF在口腔鳞癌中的表达及其意义

Objective: To investigate the expressions of heparanase (Hpa) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to evaluate the relationship between the expressions and tumor angiogenesis and progression. Methods: The expressions of Hpa mRNA and bFGF mRNA of OSCC were examined using in situ hybridization. The microvascular density (MVD) was assessed through immunohistochemistry staining. Results: The expressions of Hpa mRNA and bFGF mRNAwere associated with tumor MVD and lymph node metastasis. Concomitant expression of Hpa mRNA and bFGF mRNA was associated with higher tumor MVD as compared with expression of either factor alone. Conclusion: Hpa and bFGF might contribute to the angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in OSCC and they cooperate in promoting vascularization.     

Influence of angiogenetic factors and matrix metalloproteinases upon tumour progression in non-small-cell lung cancer.

We attempted to investigate immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PD-ECGF), c-erbB-2, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 using surgical specimens of 119 non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cases and to evaluate the relationship between the expression levels of each molecule and clinicopathological factors or prognosis. VEGF expression levels were significantly associated with the local invasion (P = 0.0001), lymph node involvement (pN-factor) (P = 0.0019), pathological stage (p-stage) (P = 0.0027) and lymphatic permeation (P = 0.0389). PD-ECGF expression levels were associated with pN-factor (P = 0.0347). MMP-2 expression levels were associated with pN-factor (P = 0.004) and lymphatic permeation (P = 0.0056). Also, MMP-9 expression levels showed a significant correlation to local invasion (P = 0.0012), pN-factor (P = 0.0093) and p-stage (P = 0.0142). Multivariate analysis showed VEGF to be the most related to local invasion (P = 0.0084), and MMP-2 was the only factor with significant independent impact on lymphatic permeation (P = 0.0228). Furthermore, log-rank analysis showed significant association with poor survival by VEGF, bFGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Especially, combined overexpression of VEGF and MMP-2 revealed poor prognosis, our study might provide a basis for the better evaluation of biological characteristics and a new therapeutic strategy based on chemotherapy.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子在前列腺癌中的表达

目的探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)在前列腺癌中表达的临床意义。方法应用半定量RT-PCR技术和免疫组织化学方法,检测22例前列腺癌组织中bFGF的表达,并与正常的前列腺组织进行比较。结果前列腺癌组织中的bFGF表达高于正常的前列腺组织(P<0.05);bFGF表达升高的程度与前列腺癌病理分级和临床分期均无明显关系。结论前列腺癌组织中bFGF的表达高于正常前列腺组织,提示bF-GF与前列腺癌的发生发展密切相关。     

Angiogenesis and mast cells in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a strong correlation in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Mast cells are likely to play a role in angiogenesis under pathological conditions. Solid tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis, but the influence of mast cells on angiogenesis in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, (NHL) is not clear. We investigated mast cell number and vessel count in 61 cases of NHL. We also evaluated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), both important cytokines for angiogenesis. The number of mast cells was greater in T-cell lymphomas than in B-cell lymphomas. Of the T-cell lymphomas, the greatest number of mast cells was observed in the angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AIL). In all NHLs, significant correlation was found between vessel count and the number of mast cells (p < 0.0001) and between vessel count and the number of VEGF-expressing cells (p < 0.05) but not between vessel count and bFGF-expressing cells. Strong correlation was detected between the number of mast cells and the number of VEGF-expressing cells (p < 0.0001) in all NHLs. Double fluorescence staining of VEGF mRNA and mast cell tryptase revealed that mast cells expressed VEGF mRNA. Our data suggest that mast cells play a very important role in angiogenesis by expressing VEGF in NHL, especially in AIL.     

Analysis of p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor Flk-1 expression in human gallbladder carcinoma for determination of tumor vascularity

Objective： More and more studies have demonstrated that the p53 tumor suppressor gene plays an important role in controlling tumor angiogenesis. There is some evidence that p53 mutations cause overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, a major inducer of angiogenesis. In addition, there is now growing evidence that several malignancies express receptors for VEGF, especially receptor-2 （Flk-1/KDR）, raising the possibility that the VEGF/VEGF receptor axis may serve as an autocrine pathway in some tumors. We examined the expression of p53 and VEGF and its receptor FlK-1, together with microvessel count （MVC） to investigate the role of VEGF as an angiogenic marker, the presence of VEGF/Flk-1 axis, and the possible role of p53 in the regulation of angiogenesis in human gallbladder carcinoma. Methods： Surgically resected specimens of 49 gallbladder carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein, VEGF, Flk-1 and factor VIII-related antigen. VEGF expression and mutant p53 expression were then correlated with Nevin stage, differentiation grade, MVC, and lymph nodes metastasis. Results： VEGF, Flk-1 expression and positive p53 protein accumulation and BEGF expression was found in 63.3%, 67.3% and 61.2% of tumors, respectively. The expression of Flk-1 was markedly correlated with VEGF （P〈0.05）. The percentage of the patients with both positive VEGF and Flk-1 expressions was 49.0% （24/49）, and their MVC value was markedly higher than that of the others. P53 and VEGF staining status were identical in 55.1% of tumors. The Nevin staging of p53-or VEGF-positive tumors was significantly later than negative tumors. The MVC in p53-or VEGF-positive tumors was significantly higher than that in negative tumors, and MVC in both p53- and VEGF-negative tumors was significantly lower than that in the other subgroups. Conclusion： The findings suggest the VEGF/F1 k- 1 axis and p53-VEGF pathway tumor angiogenesis in human gallbladder carcinoma. Combined analysis of p53 and VEGF expression, plus Flk-1 and VEGF expression might be useful for predicting the tumor vacularity and biologic behaviors of gallbladder cancer.