HCC病灶EphB4表达水平与超声造影灌注参数的相关性

背景 原发性肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC)作为一种富血供肿瘤,其血流灌注变化贯穿于肿瘤的整个病理学过程.超声造影(contrast-enhanced ultrasound,CEUS)通过分析肿瘤组织的血流灌注变化,能客观反映其血管生成状态,继而间接反映其病理生物学特征,有着重要临床意义.目的 探讨超声造影灌注参数与原发性肝细胞癌酪氨酸蛋白激酶受体B4(ephrin type-B receptor 4, EphB4)表达水平的相关性.方法 选取在我院行手术切除治疗的52例HCC患者作为研究对象.所有患者术前1周内行CEUS检查,测定肝癌组织以及癌旁组织的血流灌注参数:峰值强度(maximumintensity,IMAX)、达峰时间(timetopeak,TTP)、流出时间(washouttime, WT).术后将肝癌组织以及癌旁组织标本送病理检测,测定各组织EphB4表达水平及微血管密度(microvessel density, MVD).结果 肝癌组织IMAX明显高于癌旁组织,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);肝癌组织TTP、WT明显短于癌旁组织,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);肝癌组织EphB4表达水平及MVD明显高于癌旁组织,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);肝癌组织EphB4表达水平与IMAX呈正相关(r=0.862, P 0.05),与TTP、WT呈负相关(r=-0.765, r=-0.781,均P 0.05).结论 CEUS能定量评估HCC微循环血流状态,其灌注参数与EphB4表达水平有一定相关性,可为临床无创性评估EphB 4表达水平提供参考.     

超声造影定量评估新辅助治疗后直肠癌的微循环血流及与微血管密度相关性

背景新辅助治疗有助于进一步提高直肠癌患者的术后疗效,降低肿瘤复发率,改善患者生活质量.准确评估其疗效意义重大.超声造影(contrast-enhanced ultrasound,CEUS)作为一种能实时显示目标组织微循环状态的超声新技术,能为临床评估疗效提供可靠的血流动力学参考.目的探讨CEUS定量评估新辅助治疗后直肠癌的微循环血流灌注状态变化,及其与微血管密度(microvessel density,MVD)相关性.方法选取在我院行新辅助治疗的进展期直肠癌患者106例,所有患者于治疗前后行CEUS检查,测定病灶微循环血流灌注参数,并与手术后标本MVD进行比较分析.结果新辅助治疗后病灶最大直径较治疗前明显减少,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);新辅助治疗后病灶曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)、峰值强度(peak intensity,PI)较治疗前明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);新辅助治疗后病灶PI、AUC分别与MVD呈正相关(r=0.82,P<0.05;r=0.79,P<0.05).结论CEUS能客观反映直肠癌微循环血流灌注状态,其血流灌注参数与MVD有较好相关性,可为临床评估直肠癌新辅助治疗效果提供血流动力学参考.     

肝细胞癌超声造影灌注参数与ANGPTL4表达水平相关性的初步研究

背景血管生成素样蛋白4(angiopoietin like 4, ANGPTL4)是一种血管生成素样蛋白家族中的分泌型糖蛋白,其表达上调可促进肿瘤微小血管新生.超声造影(contrast-enhancedultrasound,CEUS)能客观地反映肿瘤微循环血流灌注状态,为临床提供血流动力学信息.目的探讨原发性肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC)的CEUS灌注参数与ANGPTL4表达水平的相关性.方法选取在浙江萧山医院行手术切除的84例HCC患者作为研究对象(共84个肿瘤).根据ANGPTL4表达结果分为:ANGPTL4阳性表达组(48例)和ANGPTL4阴性表达组(36例).所有患者术前3d内行CEUS检查,分析病灶的血流灌注参数:增强强度(enhancementintensity,EI)和达峰时间(peaktotime,TTP),同期测定患者血清血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelialgrowthfactor, VEGF)水平,术后测定组织标本ANGPTL4表达水平及微血管密度(microvessel density, MVD).分析CEUS灌注参数与ANGPTL4表达水平的相关性.结果ANGPTL4阳性表达组病灶的EI明显高于ANGPTL4阴性表达组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05); ANGPTL4阳性表达组病灶的TTP明显短于ANGPTL4阴性表达组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05); ANGPTL4阳性表达组的MVD和VEGF水平明显高于ANGPTL4阴性表达组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05); HCC的EI与ANGPTL4表达水平呈正相关(r=0.753, P 0.05), TTP与ANGPTL4表达水平呈负相关(r=-0.730, P0.05).结论HCC的CEUS灌注参数与ANGPTL4表达水平具有一定相关性,能无创性反映活体HCC的ANGPTL4表达水平,间接评估其血管新生状态.     

胰腺癌组织中p53、血管内皮生长因子的表达与血管生成的关系及其临床意义

目的 探讨胰腺癌组织中p53、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和血管生成的关系。方法 用免疫组织化学方法检测48例胰腺癌组织及癌旁组织、6例正常胰腺组织中p53、VEGF表达和微血管密度(MVD)。结果 胰腺癌组织中VEGF、p53的阳性表达率分别为54.17％和50％,显著高于癌旁组织及正常组织的表达率(P<0.01),胰腺癌组织中MVD显著高于癌旁组织及正常组织。VEGF表达与肿瘤大小和分期有关(P=0.038,P=0.045),VEGF表达与MVD有相关性(r=0.294 P=0.043)。p53与淋巴结转移及预后相关(P<0.05)而与VEGF、MVD之间无关。MVD与胰腺癌临床病理特征无关,MVD与生存期存在负相关(r=0.371 P=0.011)。多元回归分析显示p53、VEGF和MVD都不是影响胰腺癌预后的独立因素。结论 p53基因突变为胰腺癌分子事件的晚期事件,可作为评价胰腺癌预后的一项指标,抗血管生成可能有利于胰腺癌的治疗。     

肝细胞癌组织微血管密度和VEGF表达及意义

目的 探讨肝细胞癌组织中微血管密度(MVD)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达特征及其与组织形态和自然病程的关系.方法 采用免疫组化法检测63例肝癌患者癌组织、癌旁组织和20例非癌肝组织中MVD及VECF表达.结果 肝细胞癌组织MVD明显高于癌旁和非癌组织(P<0.0500);低MVD者生存期明显长于高MVD者(P<0.05);癌组织VEGF表达与组织分化程度无明显相关性(P=0.1393),与MVD及预后有相关性(P分别=0.0002、0.0039).结论 VEGF参与了肝细胞癌组织血管新生;MVD及VEGF与肝细胞癌的发生发展及自然病程有关.     

原发性肝细胞癌微血管密度与其超声造影血流灌注量参数的相关性

背景原发性肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC)在我国有着较高发病率和死亡率,对人们健康构成严重威胁. HCC是一种富血供恶性肝脏肿瘤,其发生、发展、侵袭以及转移有着明显血管依赖性.病理检查是评估HCC微血管生成状态的"金标准",但具有创伤性.超声造影能实时动态反映肿瘤组织的血流灌注过程,可反映肿瘤组织的微血管生成状态.运用超声造影评估HCC的微血管生成状态,对于临床制定治疗方案意义重大.目的运用超声造影分析HCC的血流灌注状态,并评估其微血管密度.方法选取在浙江省肿瘤医院行手术切除并经病理证实的68例HCC患者(共68个病灶)作为研究对象.所有患者于术前均行超声造影检查,通过时间-强度曲线测定病灶组织及病灶旁肝组织的峰值强度和曲线下面积,分析其与术后组织标本微血管密度的相关性.结果HCC病灶组织的峰值强度和曲线下面积明显高于病灶旁肝组织,差异有统计学意义(P0.05); HCC病灶组织的微血管密度明显高于病灶旁肝组织,差异有统计学意义(P0.05); HCC的峰值强度和曲线下面积均与微血管密度呈正相关(r=0.840, P0.05; r=0.781,P 0.05).结论超声造影可定量评估HCC的血流灌注量,其血流灌注量参数与微血管密度相关性良好,可为临床无创性评估HCC微血管生成状态提供有价值的参考.     

胰腺癌组织中p53、血管内皮生长因子的表达与血管生成的关系及其临床意义

目的探讨胰腺癌组织中p53、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和血管生成的关系.方法用免疫组织化学方法检测48例胰腺癌组织及癌旁组织、6例正常胰腺组织中p53、VEGF表达和微血管密度(MVD).结果胰腺癌组织中VEGF、p53的阳性表达率分别为54.17%和50%,显著高于癌旁组织及正常组织的表达率(P < 0.01),胰腺癌组织中MVD显著高于癌旁组织及正常组织.VEGF表达与肿瘤大小和分期有关(P=0.038,P=0.045),VEGF表达与MVD有相关性(r=0.294 P=0.043).p53与淋巴结转移及预后相关(P < 0.05)而与VEGF、MVD之间无关.MVD与胰腺癌临床病理特征无关,MVD与生存期存在负相关(r=-0.371 P=0.011).多元回归分析显示p53、VEGF和MVD都不是影响胰腺癌预后的独立因素.结论 p53基因突变为胰腺癌分子事件的晚期事件,可作为评价胰腺癌预后的一项指标,抗血管生成可能有利于胰腺癌的治疗.     

TACE术后HCC残留病灶超声造影参数与缺氧诱导因子-1a的相关性

背景原发性肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC)属于富血供恶性肿瘤,血供状态与其发生发展密切相关.超声造影(contrast-enhanced ultrasound, CEUS)能定量分析HCC组织微循环血流状态,继而间接反映其病理学特征,评估疗效,并指导临床治疗.目的探讨经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞(transcatheter artery chemoembolization, TACE)术治疗后HCC残留病灶的超声造影参数特征,及其与血清缺氧诱导因子-1a(hypoxia inducible factor-1a, HIF-1a)的相关性.方法选取接受TACE术治疗的HCC患者86例作为研究对象.根据是否残留分为无残留组(52例)和残留组(34例).所有患者术前3 d内,术后30 d均行超声造影检查,测定血流灌注参数:最大强度(maximum intensity,IMAX),达峰时间(time to peak, TTP),上升时间(rise time, RT),廓清时间(clearance time, WT).同期,采用酶联免疫吸附法测定血清HIF-1a与血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF)水平.比较两组患者治疗前后超声造影血流灌注参数、血清HIF-1a及VEGF水平变化.结果治疗前,两组的IMAX、RT、TTP、WT、血清HIF-1a及VEGF水平比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,无残留组的血清HIF-1a及VEGF水平较治疗前明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且超声造影显示,病灶未见明显血流灌注;治疗后,残留组的血清HIF-1a及VEGF水平较治疗前明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,残留组的IMAX较治疗前明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,残留组的RT、TTP和WT较治疗前明显延长,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);残留组治疗后, IMAX与血清HIF-1a水平呈正相关(R~2=0.74, P 0.05), TTP、RT、WT均与血清HIF-1a水平呈负相关(R~2=0.56, R~2=0.42, R~2=0.48,P 0.05).结论超声造影能直观反映TACE术治疗后HCC病灶的血流灌注变化,而残留组织的血流灌注参数(IMAX、TTP、RT、WT)与血清HIF-1a水平具有良好相关性,可为临床综合评估TACE术疗效提供参考依据.     

胰腺癌组织中VEGF、PCNA与血管生成的关系及预后相关性

目的探讨胰腺癌组织中VEGF、PCNA和血管生成的关系.方法用免疫组织化学方法检测48例胰腺癌及癌旁组织、6例正常胰腺组织中VEGF、PCNA的表达和微血管密度(MVD).结果胰腺癌组织中VEGF、PCNA的阳性表达率分别为54.17%和77.5%,显著高于癌旁组织和正常组织的表达率(P < 0.01),胰腺癌组织中MVD显著高于癌旁组织和正常组织.VEGF表达与肿瘤大小和TNM分期有关(P = 0.020, P = 0.045),并且与MVD有相关性(r = 0.294, P = 0.043).PCNA与临床病理因素无关.多元回归分析显示VEGF、PCNA和MVD都不是影响胰腺癌预后的独立因素.结论血管生成在胰腺癌的发生、发展过程中起重要作用,抗肿瘤血管生成可能会提高胰腺癌的治疗效果.     

激活素A异常表达与大肠癌血管生成的关系

目的探讨激活素A(ACTA)的表达与大肠癌血管生成的关系。方法应用免疫组化法检测56例大肠癌组织及癌旁组织中ACTA及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达及微血管密度(MVD)。结果56例大肠癌组织中ACTA阳性表达率为45.2%,明显高于癌旁组织的12.3%(P<0.01)。ACTA蛋白的表达在大肠癌淋巴结转移组高于无转移组(60.9%vs41.2%,P<0.01),DukesD期高于DukesA、B期,差异有显著性(分别为66.7%vs33.3%,66.7%vs44.4%,P均<0.01)。ACTA表达阳性组MVD值为84.0±10.8,明显高于阴性组的52.0±9.7(P<0.01)。大肠癌组织中ACTA的表达与VEGF的表达呈显著性正相关(r=0.712,P<0.01)。VEGF蛋白表达与MVD亦呈正相关(r=0.747,P<0.01)。结论ACTA与大肠癌的血管生成有关,可作为判断大肠癌侵袭和转移潜能的生物学指标。     

Relationship between quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography parameters and angiogenesis in primary small hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective study

To analyze the correlation between quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) parameters and angiogenesis in primary small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) with varying degrees of differentiation.According to varying degrees of differentiation, a total of 90 primary sHCC patients admitted to our hospital from July 2018 to January 2020 were selected and divided into poorly differentiated group (24 cases), moderately differentiated group (31 cases), and highly differentiated group (35 cases). All patients received real-time CEUS before surgery. The tumor diameter, microvascular morphology, grading of color blood flow, contrast-enhanced performance in different phases, quantitative CEUS parameters, expression of angiogenesis-related genes, and microvessel density (MVD) were compared among the 3 groups. The correlation between quantitative parameters of CEUS and angiogenesis indexes was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis.Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) expression and MVD were negatively correlated with the time to peak (TTP), wash-out time, and peak accelerating time (PAT) (r < 0, P < .05), and were positively correlated with enhancing slope rate (ESR) and peak intensity increasing rate (PIIR) (r > 0, P < .05).CEUS is able to identify varying degrees of differentiation in primary sHCC, and the quantitative CEUS parameters are closely related to angiogenesis.     

CT严重指数、超声造影联合血清降钙素原评估AP疗效

背景超声具有无创简便等优点,在急性胰腺炎病诊治中发挥着重要作用,而超声造影能通过分析胰腺微循环血流灌注,评估其缺血坏死状态,为临床诊治提供血流动力学信息.目的探讨超声造影联合血清降钙素原(procalcitonin,PCT)在评估急性胰腺炎(acute pancreatitis,AP)病情和疗效中的应用价值,及其与CT严重指数(CT severity indices,CTSI)的相关性.方法选取在我院接受治疗的AP患者作为研究对象,共63例,其中轻症AP患者38例(轻症AP组),重症AP患者25例(重症AP组).所有患者治疗前后测定血清PCT水平,行胰腺超声造影及腹部多层螺旋CT检查,记录超声造影严重指数(ultrasound severity indices,USSI)及CTSI,分析超声造影联合PCT评估疗效的可行性.结果超声造影诊断轻症AP患者37例,重症AP患者26例,敏感度=92.00%(23/25),特异度=92.11%(35/38);准确率=92.06%(58/63);重症AP组的血清PCT水平、USSI及CTSI明显高于轻症AP组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);不同治疗结局组间的血清PCT水平、USSI及CTSI比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后患者血清PCT水平、USSI分别与CTSI呈正相关(r=0.803,0.951,均P<0.05);治疗后患者血清PCT水平、USSI分别与临床疗效呈负相关(r=-0.721,-0.836,均P<0.05).结论超声造影能有效显示胰腺组织缺血坏死状态,准确反映AP病情,联合血清PCT水平可为临床全面准确评估AP病情及预后提供有价值的参考.     

超声造影评估2型糖尿病骨骼肌微循环功能的研究

目的探讨超声造影(CEUS)对评估T2DM合并微血管病变骨骼肌微循环及动脉灌注储备的临床应用价值。方法选取2016年10月至2017年1月于我院内分泌科确诊的单纯T2DM患者(T2DM组)10例,T2DM合并微血管病变患者(T2DM+MC组)12例,另选取10名同期我院体检健康人群为正常对照(NC)组。短暂动脉闭塞前后分别进行CEUS观察各组小腿腓肠肌血流灌注情况,分析预选的感兴趣区小动脉、肌肉组织和小静脉,获取时间-强度曲线、造影剂到达时间、造影剂渡越时间(CTTs)等灌注参数。检测各组FPG、C-P、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、HbA1c、D-二聚体、C-RP等。结果短暂动脉闭塞前,T2DM+MC组部分CTTs较T2DM、NC组延长(P<0.05)。短暂动脉阻塞后,T2DM+MC组CTTs较T2DM、NC组延长(P<0.05),T2DM、NC组动脉到肌肉(△A-M)、动脉到静脉(△A-V)、肌肉到静脉(△M-V)及T2DM+MC组△A-M的CTTs较闭塞前缩短(P<0.05),而T2DM+MC组△A-V、△M-V的CTTs较闭塞前差异无统计学意义。Pearson相关性分析显示,HOMA-IR、HbA1c、D-二聚体与M-V、A-V及△M-V、△A-V的CTTs呈正相关(P<0.01)。结论CEUS结合短暂动脉闭塞一定程度上可评价T2DM微血管病变患者骨骼肌微循环障碍及动脉储备功能。微循环障碍及动脉储备功能可能与HOMA-IR及相关参数异常有关。     

Angiopoietin-2 is associated with decreased endothelial nitric oxide and poor clinical outcome in severe falciparum malaria

Adherence of parasitized erythrocytes to activated endothelium causes microvascular obstruction, tissue ischemia, and clinical complications in severe malaria (SM); however, the mechanisms leading to endothelial activation remain unclear. The angiogenic factors, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are modulators of endothelial activation, with Ang-2 release from Weibel–Palade bodies (WPBs) being regulated by endothelial nitric oxide (NO). We explored the relationships between endothelial NO bioavailability, Ang-2, VEGF, tissue perfusion, and clinical outcomes in SM. We measured plasma Ang-2 and VEGF, together with biomarkers of severity from 146 adults with and without SM, in parallel with longitudinal measures of endothelial function by using reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (a measure of endothelial NO bioavailability). Regression was used to relate concentrations of Ang-2/VEGF with malaria disease severity, biomarkers of perfusion, endothelial activation, and parasite biomass. The longitudinal relationship between Ang-2 and endothelial function was assessed by using a mixed-effects model. Ang-2 concentrations were elevated in SM and associated with increased venous lactate, plasma intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 concentrations, parasite biomass, and mortality. In contrast, VEGF concentrations were inversely associated with these biomarkers. Ang-2 concentrations were significantly better predictors of death than venous lactate (P = 0.03). Recovery of endothelial function was associated with falling concentrations of Ang-2. Ang-2 release from endothelial cells with reduced NO bioavailability is likely to contribute to endothelial activation, sequestered parasite biomass, impaired perfusion, and poor outcome in severe falciparum malaria. Agents that improve endothelial NO, reduce WPB exocytosis, and/or antagonize Ang-2 may have therapeutic roles in SM.     

Angiogenic growth factors in rheumatoid arthritis

We investigated whether the angiogenic profile, which is based on the local expression and systemic levels of angiogenic growth factors (VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, and the corresponding receptors), differs between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. We determined the expression of VEGF, Ang-1, and Ang-2 together with its receptors (VEGFR-1/-2 and Tie2) in synovium tissue (ST) and muscular tissue (MT) from patients with RA and OA using quantitative PCR. Tissue samples were obtained from 15 RA and 19 OA patients during total knee arthroplasty. Control MT samples (n = 10) were obtained during spinal surgery. Results are correlated to VEGF and angiopoietin serum levels via ELISA measurements. The VEGF expressions in ST and serum levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in OA patients (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression in ST from RA patients were significantly higher than in OA patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). The relative concentration of angiopoietins (Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio) was significantly increased in RA (P < 0.01). Serum levels for Ang-2 showed no significant differences. Statistical analysis showed a significant higher level of Tie2 in RA patients (P < 0.001). Analysis of local levels of VEGF, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 in the muscular tissue showed no significant difference between RA and OA patients. These results underline the importance of pro-angiogenic growth factor levels for RA corroborating the assumption that VEGF and angiopoietins play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA.     

Cyclooxygenase－2 expression and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer

AIM: Cyclooxygenase-2 is involved in a variety of important cellular functions, including cell growth and differentiation,cancer cell motility and invasion, angiogenesis and immune function. However, the role of cyclooxygenase-2 as an angiogenic factor in colorectal cancer tissue is still unclear.We investigated the relationship between cyclooxygenase2 and angiogenesis by analyzing the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in colorectal cancer tissue, as well as its association with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and microvascular density (MVD). METHODS: The expression of cydooxygenase-2, VEGF, as well as MVD was detected in 128 cases of colorectal cancer by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between the cydooxygenase-2 and VEGF expression and MlVD was evaluated.Our objective was to determine the effect of cyclooxygenase2 on the angiogenesis of colorectal cancer tissue. RESULTS: Among 128 cases of colorectal cancer, 87 were positive for cyclooxygenase-2 (67.9 %), and 49 for VEGF (38.3 %), respectively. The microvessel counts ranged from 23 to 142, with a mean of 51.7 (standard deviation, 19.8). The expression of cydooxygenase-2 was correlated significantly with the depth of invasion, stage of disease, metastasis (lymph node and liver), VEGF expression and MlVD. Patients in T3-T4, stage Ⅲ-ⅣV and with metastasis had much higher expression of cydooxygenase-2 than patients in T1-T2, stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and without metastasis (P＜0.05). The positive expression rate of VEGF (81.6 %) in the cyclooxygenase-2 positive group was higher than that in the cyclooxygenase-2 negative group (18.4 %,P＜0.05). Also, the microvessel count (56±16) in cyclooxygenase-2 positive group was significantly higher than that in cyclooxygenase-2 negative group (43±12, P＜0.05). The microvessel count in tumors with positive cyclooxygenase-2and VEGF was the highest (60±18, 41-142, P＜0.05), whereas that in tumors with negative cyclooxygenase-2 and VEGF wasthe lowest (39±16, 23-68, P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: Cyclooxygenase-2 may be associated with tumor progression by madulating the angiogenesis in colorectal cancer tissue and used as a possible biomarker.     

Microvessel density of malignant and benign hepatic lesions and MRI evaluation

AIM. To study the difference of microvessel density (MVD) between malignant and benign hepatic lesions and study the relationship between MVD and dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of microvessels within malignant and benign hepatic lesions. METHODS: A total of 265 specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 122 cirrhosis tissues and 22 hepatic benign lesions were enrolled for MVD by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray, of which 49 underwent MRI examination before surgery, then contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) and enhancement index (EI) in all the phases were calculated. Pearson correlation was performed for correlation analysis between CNR, EI and MVD. RESULTS: MVD of HCC was 22.7&#177;15.8 (mean&#177;SD), which was obviously higher than that of cirrhosis tissue (8.3&#177;7.6, P&lt;0.01), but was not statistically different from that of benign lesions (31.3&#177;22.7, P&gt;0.05). Among HCC, MVD of gradesⅠ-Ⅱ was 29.9&#177;18.6, which was much higher than those ofgrade Ⅲ (22.2&#177;18.2, P&lt;0.01) and gradeⅣ (22.9&#177;19.0, P&lt;0.01). MVD of HCC (P=0.018) and of benign lesions (P=0.014) were both correlative with CNR in arterial phase. CONCLUSION: Neoangiogenesis is an important feature for malignant tumor, and MVD may act as a biological marker in differentiating malignant from benign hepatic lesions. Dynamic enhanced MRI, especially image in arterial phase, may act as an MVD evaluation criterion for malignant and benign hepatic lesions.