Increased expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, VEGF-C and VEGF receptor-3 in prostate cancer tissue are associated with tumor progression

Aim： To investigate the differences in microvessel densities （MVD） and the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, VEGF-C and VEGF receptor-3 （VEGFR-3） between prostate cancer （PCa） tissues and adjacent benign tissues, and to explore the correlations among MVD, Jewett-Whitmore staging, Gleason scores and expressions of VEGF, VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in the progression of PCa. Methods： An immunohistochemical approach was adopted to detect the expressions of CD34, VEGF, VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in both cancer areas and peripheral benign areas of 71 primary prostatic adenocarcinoma specimens. A statistic analysis was then performed according to the experimental and clinic data. Results： Significantly upregulated expressions of VEGF, VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were all found in malignant epithelium/cancer cells compared with adjacent benign epithelium （P 〈 0.01）. Patients in stage D had a significantly higher score than patients in stage A, B or C when comparing the expression of VEGF-C or VEGFR-3 in the tumor area （P 〈 0.01）. In addition, significant correlations were observed between Jewett-Whitmore staging and VEGF-C （rs = 0.738, P 〈 0.01）, clinical staging and VEGFR-3 （rs = 0.410, P 〈 0.01）, VEGF-C and Gleason scores （rs = 0.401, P 〈 0.01）, VEGFR-3 and Gleason scores （rs = 0.581, P 〈 0.001） and MVD and VEGF （rs = 0.492, P 〈 0.001）. Conclusion： Increased expressions of VEGF and VEGF-C were closely associ- ated with progression of PCa. The main contribution of increased VEGF expression for PCa progression was to upregulate MVD, which maintained the growth advantage of tumor tissue. However, the chief role of increased expressions of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was to enhance lymphangiogenesis and provide a main pathway for cancer cells to disseminate. （Asian J Androl 2006 Mar; 8： 169-175）     

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression predicts lymph node metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE: It has been found that expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in several carcinomas is significantly associated with angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph node metastasis. However, VEGF-C expression in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has not yet been reported. To elucidate the role of VEGF-C in bladder TCC, we examined VEGF-C expression in bladder TCC and pelvic lymph node metastasis specimens obtained from patients who underwent radical cystectomy. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients who underwent radical cystectomy for clinically organ-confined TCC of the bladder were enrolled in the present study. No neoadjuvant treatments, except transurethral resection of the tumor, were given to these patients. The VEGF-C expressions of 87 bladder tumors and 20 pelvic lymph node metastasis specimens were examined immunohistochemically and the association between VEGF-C expression and clinicopathological factors, including angiogenesis as evaluated by microvessel density (MVD), was also examined. RESULTS: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression was found in the cytoplasm of tumor cells, but not in the normal transitional epithelium. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression was significantly associated with the pathological T stage (P = 0.0289), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001), lymphatic involvement (P = 0.0008), venous involvement (P = 0.0002) and high MVD (P = 0.0043). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that VEGF-C expression and high MVD in bladder TCC were independent risk factors influencing the pelvic lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the patients with VEGF-C-positive tumors had significantly poorer prognoses than those with the VEGF-C-negative tumors (P = 0.0087) in the univariate analysis. The multivariate analysis based on Cox proportional hazard model showed that the independent prognostic factors were patient age (P = 0.0132) and pelvic lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0333). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that VEGF-C expression is an important predictive factor of pelvic lymph node metastasis in bladder cancer patients.     

血管内皮生长因子对骨肉瘤的血管生成及转移预后的影响

目的 :研究血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)对骨肉瘤血管生成、生长、转移及预后的影响。方法 :对 69例骨肉瘤患者的临床病理资料进行回顾性研究 ,应用CD3 4、VEGF单克隆抗体对其组织切片分别进行免疫组化染色 ,应用地高辛标记的VEGF探针对 2 7例原发性骨肉瘤进行原位杂交染色。分析研究了VEGF表达与CD3 4染色阳性的血管密度的关系 ,所有上述临床病理资料及染色结果与患者预后情况进行统计学分析。结果 :在 3 9例 (5 6.5 % )VEGF表达阳性的标本中 ,CD3 4染色阳性的肿瘤微血管密度 (MVD)明显较 3 0例VEGF表达阴性的血管密度高 (P <0 .0 5 )。多元回归分析显示 ,血管密度 (MVD)增高及VEGF表达阳性与骨肉瘤患者的远隔转移发生、不良预后密切相关 (P <0 .0 5 )。临床病理资料中 ,外科手术边界微小病灶阳性情况、Enneking外科分期、肿瘤大小和患者年龄与患者预后相关 (P <0 .0 5 )。患者性别、手术方法分类以及病理亚型与预后无相关性。结论 :VEGF在骨肉瘤的血管生成和转移中起到重要作用 ,VEGF是骨肉瘤血管生成的决定性刺激因子 ,骨肉瘤微血管密度 (MVD)和骨肉瘤组织中VEGF表达情况是骨肉瘤患者的独立性预后因素。     

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression in bladder transitional cell cancer and its relationship to lymph node metastasis

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), examining VEGF-C expression in bladder TCC tissue and the association of VEGF-C with clinicopathological features, as the expression of VEGF-C in several carcinomas is significantly associated with angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph node metastasis, but there are few reports of VEGF-C expression in bladder TCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 45 patients with bladder TCC; VEGF-C expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and the association between VEGF-C expression and angiogenesis, as evaluated by microvessel density (MVD), was examined. RESULTS: There was VEGF-C expression in the cytoplasm of tumour cells, but very little in the normal transitional epithelium. VEGF-C expression was significantly associated with tumour size, pathological T stage, pathological grade, lymphatic-venous involvement and pelvic lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that VEGF-C expression was an exclusive independent factor influencing pelvic lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the patients with high VEGF-C expression had a markedly poorer prognosis than those with no or low VEGF-C expression (P = 0.014). A multivariate analysis based on the Cox proportional hazard model showed that lymph node metastasis was only an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence supporting the involvement of VEGF-C expression in the promotion of lymph node metastasis in bladder TCC. Examination of VEGF-C expression in biopsy specimens might be beneficial in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis.     

VEGF、VEGFR-2和MVD在肾上腺皮质癌中的表达及意义

目的探讨VEGFR-2、VEGF和MVD在肾上腺皮质癌(ACC)中的表达及其临床意义。方法选取经手术治疗且具有完整的临床、病理资料的肾上腺皮质肿瘤存档石蜡标本37例,其中良性组20例,恶性组(ACC组)17例。采用免疫组化技术,检测良、恶性肾上腺皮质肿瘤中VEGFR-2、VEGF和MVD的表达情况。结果 VEGFR-2在ACC组中呈高表达(76.47%),在良性组中表达较低(25.00%),ACC组与良性组之间VEGFR-2的表达有显著性差异(P0.05)。VEGF在ACC组中呈高表达(70.59%),在良性组中表达较低(25.00%),VEGF在ACC组中的表达与在良性组中的表达有显著性差异(P0.05)。MVD在ACC组中的表达为(76.40±15.64),良性组中为(21.05±8.07),两者之间有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论 VEGFR-2和VEGF以及MVD在ACC中的高表达为抗肿瘤血管生成治疗在ACC中的应用,提供了一定的理论依据。     

睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤中CD117的表达及其对精原细胞瘤的鉴别意义

目的:探讨CD117在睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤中的表达及其在鉴别睾丸精原细胞瘤和非精原细胞瘤中的价值和生物学意义。方法:采用CD117单克隆抗体对74例睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤和20例正常睾丸组织进行免疫组化染色,测定不同组织中CD117表达的阳性率、染色密度和染色强度,采用免疫反应积分(IRS)对结果进行分析比较。结果:74例睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤中,45例(60.8%)CD117表达阳性,IRS为(3.89±3.41)分。32例精原细胞瘤中,CD117阳性表达31例,阳性率为96.9%,IRS(6.82±2.76)分,表达部位以细胞膜为主;11例混合性精原细胞瘤中,CD117阳性表达10例,阳性率为90.9%,均为在精原细胞瘤成分中呈弱阳性表达,IRS为(1.25±0.42)分;31例非精原细胞瘤中CD117表达阳性者仅4例,阳性率为12.9%,并且均为胞质内弱阳性染色,IRS仅为(0.60±0.16)分。不同组织来源的睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤两两之间CD117表达差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。20例正常睾丸组织CD117均为阳性表达,IRS为(7.30±1.89)分。结论:CD117在睾丸精原细胞瘤细胞膜上有较为特异的表达,其在睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤中的表达对于鉴别精原细胞瘤和非精原细胞瘤有重要价值。     

CD105和VEGF在大肠癌新生血管中的表达

目的　探讨CD 10 5和血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF )在大肠癌新生血管中的表达及两者之间的关系。方法　采用鼠抗人CD10 5和免疫人VEGF单克隆抗体 ,通过免疫组化技术对 48例大肠癌手术切除标本及 48例远癌大肠组织的微血管密度 (MVD)及VEGF进行检测。结果　以CD10 5标记的大肠癌组织MVD及VEGF的表达与远癌组织间的差异具有非常显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ;大肠癌组织中MVD与VEGF的表达呈显著正相关 (P <0 .0 1) ;大肠癌组织MVD及VEGF的表达均与大肠癌的淋巴结转移、远处转移及Dukes分期有关 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　CD10 5和VEGF在大肠癌组织新生血管中均有良好表达 ,可作为大肠癌新生血管有价值的标志物。     

Lymphatic vessel density, microvessel density and lymphangiogenic growth factor expression in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: Microvessel density (MVD) has been studied as a prognostic marker in human cancers. Quantification of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) is now possible by using new antibodies. Expression of the lymphangiogenic growth factors, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, is associated with poorer clinicopathological outcomes in various tumours. The aim of this study was to quantify LVD and MVD in colorectal cancer, determine the relationship between LVD, MVD and clinicopathological variables and examine the relationship between LVD and tumour expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. METHOD: Thirty primary colorectal cancers were immunostained for CD34, lymph vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), VEGF-A and VEGF-D using standard techniques. LVD and MVD were determined by Chalkley grid counting. Tumours were assessed for the presence or absence of LYVE-1 positive lymphatics at different areas within the tumour and the tumour was scored for VEGF-C and VEGF-D immunostaining intensity at the invading tumour edge. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis and a P-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Lymph vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 was an excellent lymphatic vessel marker. Within normal bowel wall, lymphatic vessels were found rarely in the superficial colonic mucosa, but were numerous in the submucosa and muscularis propria. In the majority of tumours, lymphatic vessels were located in the peri-tumoural area, intra-tumoural vessels were sparse and tended to be narrow with closed lumina. At the invading tumour edge, VEGF-C expression was higher (P = 0.028) and VEGF-D expression lower (P = 0.011), in tumours in which lymphatic vessels were present. No significant differences between LVD and any clinicopathological variable or route of metastasis were identified. CONCLUSION: Lymphatic vessel density and MVD can be quantified in colorectal carcinoma using immunohistochemical techniques. The balance between expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D at the invading tumour edge may enhance lymphatic metastasis, by promoting tumour lymphangiogenesis or by activation of pre-existing lymphatic vessels. No relationship was identified between LVD and clinicopathological variables.     

胸苷磷酸化酶在消化道恶性肿瘤中的表达及预后价值

目的观察胸苷磷酸化酶（TP）在消化道恶性肿瘤的表达以及与肿瘤血管生成的关系，探讨TP对肿瘤预后的价值。方法采用免疫组织化学方法检测181例消化道恶性肿瘤组织和对应的77例邻近正常组织的TP表达和微血管密度（MVD），比较不同肿瘤间及肿瘤与正常组织TP表达差异。分析肿瘤组织TP表达与MVD值的关系。以Kaplan—Meier生存曲线分析胃癌、大肠癌TP表达对预后的意义。结果TP在胃癌、大肠癌、肝癌及胰腺癌的阳性表达率依次为62．2％、63．5％、55．0％和68．2％，且肿瘤组织的表达率均显著高于正常组织（P〈0．05）；TP阳性组的MVD值均显著高于阴性组（P〈0．05）；Kaplan—Meier生存曲线提示：胃癌、大肠癌中TP阳性表达者的预后明显较阴性表达者差（P〈0．05）。结论TP在消化道恶性肿瘤中呈高表达并对肿瘤血管生成有促进作用，对胃癌、大肠癌患者的预后评估有一定价值。     

Plexin A1在胃癌中的表达及其与肿瘤细胞增殖和血管生成的关系

目的探讨PlexinA1在胃癌组织中的表达及其与肿瘤细胞增殖和血管生成的关系。方法应用RT-PCR检测20例胃癌患者的癌组织及胃切缘正常胃黏膜组织Plexin A1的mRNA表达;免疫组织化学方法检测50例胃癌组织和20例胃正常黏膜中PlexinA1、肿瘤细胞增殖指数Ki-67、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和第Ⅷ因子微血管密度(MVD)的表达。结果RT-PCR示胃癌组织中的PlexinA1mRNA的表达明显高于胃正常黏膜(0.71±0.37vs0.60±0.25,P<0.05)。胃癌组织中MVD随着PlexinA1的mRNA表达的增强(r=0.8736,P<0.01)和蛋白表达的增高而增高(P<0.01);Ki-67的表达也与PlexinA1存在明显的一致性(r=0.4851,P<0.01);而VEGF的表达与PlexinA1的表达无关。结论PlexinA1在胃癌发生发展中发挥重要作用,与调节血管生成和促进肿瘤细胞增殖有关。     

Experimental varicocele induces hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor expression and angiogenesis in the rat testis

PURPOSE: In this study we investigated hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and angiogenesis in an experimental model of varicocele in the rat testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated in 3 groups, namely varicocele group 1 (13), sham operated group 2 (9) and control group 3 (8). At 30 days after surgery was completed in groups 1 and 2 orchiectomy was performed in all rats. Histological findings in the left testicles of rats from each group were compared. HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression was immunohistochemically studied and CD31 panendothelial antigen was used to identify the number of microvessels, that is microvessel density (MVD), in paraffin embedded sections of testis tissue. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test for post hoc comparison. RESULTS: HIF-1alpha expression was detected in 12 specimens (92.3%) in group 1, 4 (44.4%) in group 2 and 2 (25%) in group 3. The frequency of HIF-1alpha positivity in group 1 was significantly higher than the rates in groups 2 (p = 0.023) and 3 (p = 0.003). VEGF expression was detected in 8 specimens (61.5%) in group 1 but none of the group 2 or 3 specimens were VEGF positive. The frequency of VEGF positivity in group 1 was significantly higher than that in groups 2 (p = 0.006) and 3 (p = 0.007). Mean MVD +/- SD in group 1 was 7.53 +/- 1.50 (range 6 to 12), and findings in groups 2 and 3 were 5.88+/-1.45 (range 4 to 8) and 5.12 +/-1.12 (range 4 to 7), respectively. Mean MVD in group 2 was higher than in group 3 but this difference was not significant (p = 0.509). Mean MVD in group 1 was significantly higher than the mean values in groups 2 (p = 0.030) and 3 (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Previous study of experimental varicocele models in rats documented HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression combined with angiogenesis in the testis. The results of this study show that varicocele can lead to tissue hypoxia and related pathophysiological events, such as angiogenesis.     

Time‐intensity curve parameters in colorectal tumours measured using double contrast‐enhanced ultrasound: correlations with tumour angiogenesis

Aim The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between time‐intensity curve (TIC) parameters and colorectal tumour angiogenesis using double contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS), in which an intraluminal contrast agent was used in combination with an intravascular contrast agent. Method Thirty nine patients with colorectal tumours were examined preoperatively. During hydrocolonal examination with the intraluminal contrast agent, an intravascular contrast agent, SonoVue, was used to perform the DCEUS. The parameter arrival time (AT), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC) were measured. Postoperative specimens were assessed for microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The correlation between TIC parameters and the expression of VEGF or MVD was studied. Results The mean values of AT, TTP, PI and AUC of the colorectal tumours were 14.32 ± 11.36 s, 30.61 ± 18.65 s, 20.38 ± 17.45 dB and 221.10 ± 156.09 dB.s, respectively. Both AUC and MVD were significantly higher in colorectal adenocarcinomas than in adenomas (all P < 0.05). A positive linear correlation was found between the AUC and MVD in colorectal tumours (r = 0.686, P = 0.0019). No correlation was found between VEGF and any TIC parameter. Conclusion DCEUS is a valuable method for evaluating angiogenesis in colorectal tumours in vivo. The AUC has a positive linear correlation with MVD and could form a new index for assessing angiogenesis and the biological behaviour of colorectal tumours.     

前列腺癌组织中HIF-1α和VEGF-C及其受体VEGFR-3的表达及意义

目的探讨缺氧诱导因子-1α（hypoxia inducible factor-1,HIF-1α）、血管内皮生长因子-C（vascular endothelial growth factor-C,VEGF-C）和VEGF受体-3（vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3,VEGFR-3）蛋白在前列腺癌组织中的表达及意义。方法应用免疫组织化学SP法测定64例前列腺癌和15例正常前列腺组织中HIF-1α、VEGF-C和VEGFR-3蛋白的表达情况。结果 HIF-1α、VEGF-C和VEGFR-3蛋白在前列腺癌组织中的表达率分别为60.9%、70.3%和71.9%,在正常前列腺组织中均无表达;HIF-1α蛋白的表达与病理分级、临床分期和淋巴转移有关,VEGF-C蛋白与病理分级和淋巴转移有关,VEGFR-3蛋白与淋巴转移有关（P〈0.05）;在前列腺癌组织中HIF-1α与VEGF-C、VEGFR-3;VEGF-C与VEGFR-3的表达呈正相关（P〈0.05）。结论前列腺癌组织中HIF-1α、VEGF-C和VEGFR-3蛋白的高表达与前列腺癌的发生及淋巴转移相关。     

转录因子SP1和血管内皮生长因子及CD34的表达与浆膜浸润胃癌生物学行为的关系

目的探讨转录因子SP1、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）和CD34在浆膜浸润胃癌组织中的表达及与其生物学行为和预后的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学方法检测68例浆膜浸润胃癌组织中SPI、VEGF和CD34[以微血管密度（MVD）值表示]的表达。结果SP1和VEGF表达阳性率分别为50．0％和52．9％。VEGF阳性率在SP1表达阳性的胃癌组织中为73．5％,在SP1阴性表达的胃癌组织中则为32．4％．差异有统计学意义（X^2=11．57,P=0．01）。SP1和VEGF表达水平与MVD值显著相关（P〈0．01）;SP1表达与肿瘤大小和肿瘤生长方式显著相关（P=0．01）;VEGF表达和MVD值与肿瘤分化程度、Bomnann分型、淋巴结转移和肿瘤生长方式显著相关（P〈0．01）。单因素分析表明,SP1、VEGF、MVD值、Borrmann分型、淋巴结转移和肿瘤生长方式与S1患者预后显著相关（P〈0．05）;多因素分析表明SP1、MVD值和肿瘤生长方式是预后的独立影响因素。结论SP1、VEGF和MVD值对于判断胃癌生物学行为有重要价值,SP1和MVD值可以作为判断胃癌预后的临床指标。     

膀胱移行细胞癌VEGF-C/VEGFR-3的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨膀胱移行细胞癌(BTCC)中VEGF-C与VEGFR-3表达在癌细胞淋巴结转移机制中的作用。方法:采用RT-PCR与免疫组化检查36例BTCC和8例正常膀胱组织中VEGF-C与VEGFR-3表达情况,及其与膀胱移行细胞癌各项临床病理因素的关系。结果:VEGF-C、VEGFR-3在BTCC肿瘤细胞表达,在正常膀胱细胞未见表达。随着肿瘤细胞恶性程度的增加,VEGF-C、VEGFR-3表达明显增强;并且,VEGFR-3与VEGF-C的表达显著相关,继而,膀胱移行细胞癌淋巴浸润也明显增多。结论:膀胱移行细胞癌VEGF-C/VEGFR-3的表达促进肿瘤淋巴管浸润;阻断VEGF-C/VEGFR-3通路将抑制BTCC向恶性进展。     

Thymidine phosphorylase/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) associated with prognosis in renal cell carcinoma

We investigated the correlation between thymidine phosphorylase (TP)/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) expression, angiogenesis, and prognosis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. We prepared paraffin block specimens from 56 postradical nephrectomy RCC patients. The preparations were immunohistochemically stained using anti-CD34 antibody and anti-TP antibody. Angiogenic findings were evaluated based on both microvessel density (MVD) and renal arteriography findings as classified by Roosen et al. TP expression showed heterogeneity in 56 patients: 11 (19.6%) were negative, 28 (50.0%) weak, and 17 (30.4%) positive. There was no correlation between TP expression, MVD, and renal arteriography. There was no TP expression in chromophobe types. Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between survival and TP expression, patient age, tumor infiltration type, pathologic T- and N-stages, venous involvement, distant metastasis, and tumor grade. There was no correlation between survival and MVD or renal arteriography. Multivariate analysis showed a significant correlation between survival and pathologic T-stage, distant metastasis, tumor infiltration type, and TP expression. TP expression in RCC may be an independent prognostic factor rather than just an index for angiogenesis. Received: 26 June 2000 / Accepted: 11 October 2000     

Transrectal colour Doppler ultrasonography for quantifying angiogenesis in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between angiogenesis and Doppler signal intensity using transrectal colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) in patients with prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 56 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and had untreated tumours with a volume of> 0.1 mL in the peripheral zone. CDUS images were recorded on videotape before surgery. The Doppler signal intensity in tumours was evaluated using the colour pixel intensity (PI). Microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoreactivity were determined in the prostatectomy specimens. Microvessels were identified by immunohistochemical staining of endothelial cells for CD31. RESULTS: The PI in the tumour correlated with MVD (P < 0.001) and increased with higher levels of VEGF immunoreactivity (P = 0.004). There was no correlation between Gleason score and MVD or PI in the tumour. CONCLUSION: Blood flow assessed by CDUS may reflect the state of angiogenesis in prostate cancer. CDUS may be a useful technique for predicting tumour progression or prognosis, and may be useful for monitoring the effects of anti-angiogenic agents in the future.     

血管内皮生长因子 C表达和淋巴管生成与结肠癌进展及预后的关系

目的评估血管内皮生长因子 C( VEGF- C)、淋巴管密度( LMVD)与结肠癌临床病理指标及预后的关系.方法用免疫组织化学法检测 44例原发结肠癌 VEGF- C和 VEGF受体- 3( VEGF R- 3)表达,计数 LMVD,分析上述指标与临床病理指标和预后的关系.结果本组结肠癌 VEGF- C阳性表达率为 43.2%( 19/44), LMVD为 10.14± 4.19. VEGF- C表达与肿瘤分化程度( P=0.003)、淋巴结转移( P=0.002)和 Dukes分期( P=0.001)相关. LMVD与淋巴结转移( P=0.001)和 Dukes分期( P=0.001)相关. VEGF- C表达阳性组 LMVD为 11.34± 4.83,高于 VEGF- C表达阴性组的 9.24± 3.48,但 VEGF- C与 LMVD无相关性( P=0.105). VEGF- C阳性组患者生存率明显低于阴性组( P=0.0225), LMVD阳性组患者生存率明显低于阴性组( P=0.0036).远处转移( P=0.0004)、淋巴结转移( P=0.021)和 LMVD( P=0.0469)可以作为结肠癌独立的预后因素.结论 VEGF- C和 LMVD对于判断结肠癌侵袭性和预后有重要参考价值. LMVD可以作为判断结肠癌预后的独立指标.