Histochemical study of vascular endothelial growth factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of VEGF expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODOLOGY: Tissues samples were taken from 52 patients with esophageal SCC after surgery. VEGF expression in these SCCs was examined immunohistochemically. Microvessels in the tumor stained for Factor VIII-related antigen were counted. Ki-67 antigen as a proliferative marker was immunostained with MIB-1, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling was performed for the evaluation of apoptosis. Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and apoptotic index were then calculated. RESULTS: VEGF expression was observed in 30 of the patients (57.7%). The microvessel count was significantly higher (p = 0.007), and the apoptotic index was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the SCC with VEGF expression than in the SCC without it, but no significant difference was observed in the Ki-67 LI between these groups. There was an inverse correlation between the microvessel count and the apoptotic index (p = 0.007). In the clinicopathologic factors, histologic venous invasion of cancer cells (p = 0.039) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.049) were significantly correlated with VEGF expression. The survival rate after curative surgery was better in the patients without VEGF expression (p < 0.05), and distant organ metastasis after surgery was frequently observed in the patients with VEGF expression (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that VEGF expression is associated with angiogenesis in esophageal SCC, and may be a prognostic factor in patients with esophageal SCC. Furthermore, apoptosis may be influenced by angiogenesis in esophageal SCC.     

The effects of vascular endothelial growth factor C knockdown in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose  

We investigated the role of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by knocking down VEGF-C expression in the ESCC cell line EC9706.     

p53 protein in esophageal mucosa of individuals at high risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE) is diagnosed late and carries a poor prognosis. Biomarkers such as p53 protein expression may be present in the esophageal mucosa long before esophageal symptoms or lesions appear and may point toward early diagnosis. Asymptomatic subjects at high risk for SCEE (consumption of more than 80 g of ethanol and 10 cigarettes/day for at least 10 years) underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies of the esophageal mucosa, and expression of p53 protein was compared with conventional histologic findings. In 182 subjects studied, p53 protein was expressed in a stepwise fashion according to the severity of the histologic findings: normal mucosa (12/103 or 11.7%), mild chronic esophagitis (6/43 or 14%), moderate chronic esophagitis (4/18 or 22.2%), severe chronic esophagitis (1/3 or 33.3%), low-grade dysplasia (4/11 or 36.4%), high-grade dysplasia (2/2 or 100%), and squamous cell carcinoma (2/2 or 100%) (P=0.00025). The odds ratio and confidence intervals were calculated by logistic regression, with multivariate adjustment for potentially confounding variables. The risk for p53 expression was twofold for moderate and severe chronic esophagitis and 10-fold for dysplasia and cancer (P=0.001). p53 protein was expressed not only in cancerous lesions, high-grade and low-grade dysplasia, as expected, but also in mucosa considered normal or with chronic esophagitis using conventional histology. Smokers and alcohol drinkers with normal mucosa or chronic esophagitis that express p53 protein may represent an unrecognized subgroup of individuals that may benefit from surveillance. Follow-up studies of these asymptomatic subjects and molecular analysis of the p53 gene are needed to clarify this point.     

Immunohistochemical expression of thymidine phosphorylase/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor which is an angiogenic factor. We attempted to clarify the significance of dThdPase expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODOLOGY: Tissues samples were taken from 50 patients with esophageal SCC after curative surgery. The expression of dThdPase was immunohistochemically examined using a monoclonal antibody to dThdPase (clone 654-1). Microvessels in SCC stained for Factor VIII-related antigen were counted. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was immunostained with R11. Ki-67 antigen was immunostained with MIB-1, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling was performed, and Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and apoptotic index were calculated. RESULTS: The expression of dThdPase was observed in 30 patients (60%). Between the SCC with and without dThdPase expression, significant differences were found in microvessel count (p < 0.001) and VEGF expression (p < 0.01), but not in Ki-67 LI and apoptotic index. With regard to the clinicopathologic factors, significant differences were observed in histologic venous invasion (p < 0.01) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). Survival rate after surgery was better in the patients with dThdPase-negative SCC (p < 0.05), and distant organ metastasis after surgery was frequently observed in the patients with dThdPase-positive SCC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dThdPase expression may be associated with angiogenic promotion and may be one of the prognostic factors in esophageal SCC.     

大肠癌组织中P16蛋白和血管内皮生长因子的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨大肠癌组织中P16蛋白和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达及其临床意认。方法：用S－P免疫组织化学方法测定66例大肠癌组织和20例正常大肠组织中P16蛋白和VEGF的表达。结果：大肠癌中P16蛋白阳性率为48．5％（32／66）明显低于对照组的70．0％（14／20）（P＜0．01），VEGF阳性率为72．7％（48／66）则明显高于对照组的15．0％（3／20）（P＜0．01）：P16蛋白和VEGF在大肠癌中表达具有明显负相关性；P16蛋白和VEGF表达与大肠癌组织学类型、肿瘤直径、肿瘤部位无关（P＞0．05），而与淋巴结转移、Duke's分期五年生存率有明显的关系（P＜0．01）。结论：大肠癌中存在P16蛋白下调和VEGF上调，P16蛋白和VEGF表达可作为反映大肠癌生物学行为的指标之一。     

畸胎瘤细胞源性生长因子和血管内皮生长因子在食管鳞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨食管鳞癌(ESCC)中畸胎瘤细胞源性生长因子(PCDGF)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达与肿瘤临床病理参数之间的关系,明确PCDGF和VEGF在血管生成中的作用.方法 以免疫组化方法检测郑州大学第一附属医院2005年7月至2006年5 月收治的50例食管鳞癌患者手术切除标本PCDGF与VEGF的表达,并以CD105抗体标记肿瘤组织血管内皮细胞,计算肿瘤间质微血管密度(MVD).结果 食管鳞癌中PCDGF、VEGF的表达较正常食管上皮明显增加(P＜0.01);PCDGF和VEGF与肿瘤的浸润深度、TNM分期和淋巴结转移呈正相关(P均＜0.05);PCDGF、VEGF的表达与MVD值呈显著正相关(P＜0.01);PCDGF的表达与VEGF的表达呈正相关(P＜0.05).结论 PCDGF标记癌组织的敏感性较高,有望成为一种新的食管鳞癌肿瘤标志物.食管鳞癌中PCDGF、VEGF的表达与血管生成关系密切,可能通过促进肿瘤新生血管生成参与肿瘤的生长、浸润和转移.     

Over-expression of p53 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma of women

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Most physicians naturally accept the etiological aspect that the incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is excessively more frequent in men than that in women. However, a definitely scientific confirmation to explain it has not been found. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between gender and p53 over-expression, which might resolve the difference between the genders in the mechanism for carcinogenesis in ESCC. METHODOLOGY: Immunohistochemical expression of p53 was examined for 134 ESCCs, and the correlation of the gender with the clinicopathologic features and over-expression of p53 was compared. RESULTS: The proportion of p53 over-expression in women was 23.8% (5 out of 21) and this incidence proportion was significantly lower than that in men (48.7%, 55 out of 113; p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: This biological modulation might be correlated with the lower incidence of ESCC in women.     

p53蛋白在口腔鳞癌中的表达

目的 通过对突变型p53蛋白在口腔鳞癌组织中表达的观察,分析p53与口腔鳞癌临床病理特征之间的关系,探讨p53在口腔鳞癌发生中的作用机制。方法 利用免疫组化(P-V法)检测116例患者口腔鳞癌组织及10例正常人口腔黏膜组织中突变型p53蛋白的表达情况。结果 p53蛋白在正常人口腔黏膜和口腔鳞癌组织中的表达率分别为20％、63.8％,二者比较差异有统计学意义(X2=5.660 4,P<0.05);口腔鳞癌在不同病理分级时,p53蛋白表达差异有统计学意义(X2=7.536 2,P<0.05);p53蛋白表达与年龄、性别、发生部位及有无淋巴结转移无相关性。结论 突变型p53蛋白表达与口腔鳞癌的发生有关。不同病理分级,p53蛋白表达也不同。     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and angiogenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C) mRNA and microvessel density (MVD) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relationship with clinical significance. METHODS: Specimens obtained from 43 patients undergoing surgical resection for ESCC were used in this study. The expression of VEGF-C mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization. Tumor MVD was determined immunohistochemically with anti-CD31 antibody and estimated by image analysis. Ten sections of adjacent normal mucosa were also examined. RESULTS: VEGF-C mRNA expression was detected in cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. Of the 43 ESCC patients studied, 18 cases (41.9%) were positive for VEGF-C mRNA. No VEGF-C mRNA expression was observed in normal esophageal mucosa. VEGF-C mRNA expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and depth of invasion (P < 0.05). Furthermore, histological grade (differentiation) tended to correlate with VEGF-C mRNA expression, but was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In tumor lesions, the MVD was significantly greater than that in normal esophageal mucosa. MVD correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and depth of invasion (P < 0.05), but not with histological grade (differentiation) (P > 0.05). Lesions with VEGF-C mRNA expression had a significantly higher MVD than that of those without VEGF-C mRNA expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: VEGF-C plays a role in lymphatic metastasis via lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in ESCC. VEGF-C is one of the important predictors of the biological behavior in ESCC.     

Analysis of p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human gallbladder carcinoma for the determination of tumor vascularity

AIM:To examine the expression of p53 and vascularendothelial growth factor(VEGF)as well as microvesselcount(MVC)and to investigate the role of VEGF asan angiogenic marker and the possible role of p53 inthe regulation of angiogenesis in human gallbladdercarcinoma.METHODS:Surgically resected specimensof 49 gallbladder carcinomas were studied byimmunohistochemical staining for p53 protein,VEGF,andfactor Ⅷ-related antigen.VEGF expression and mutantp53 expression were then correlated with Nevin stage,differentiation grade,MVC,and lymph node metastasis.RESULTS:Positive p53 protein and VEGF expressionswere found in 61.2% and 63.3% of tumors,respectively.p53 and VEGF staining status was identical in 55.1%of tumors.The Nevin staging of p53-or VEGF-positivetumors was significantly later than that of negativetumors.The MVC in p53-or VEGF-positive tumorswas significantly higher than that in negative tumors,and MVC in both p53-and VEGF-negative tumors wassignificantly lower than that in the other subgroups.CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that p53-VEGFpathway can regulate tumor angiogenesis in humangallbladder carcinoma.Combined analysis of p53 andVEGF expression might be useful for predicting thetumor vascularity of gallbladder cancer.     

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.     

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。     

血管内皮生长因子表达与食管鳞癌临床病理的关系

目的 了解食管鳞癌组织中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的变化及其与临床病理的关系。方法 采用ABC方法测定食管鳞癌高发区74例食管鳞癌组织中VEGF蛋白的表达。结果 74例食管鳞癌组织中VEGF阳性表达为60.8%（45/74例）,VEGF阳性表达与食管鳞癌组织中肿瘤细胞增殖、浸润和淋巴结转移有相关性。VEGF在食管鳞癌中的表达存在有异质性。结论 VEGF蛋白在食管鳞癌的增殖、浸润和转移过程中起重要作用。     

Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus

Purpose: Both platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are known to promote the development of new blood vessels, which are fundamental to tumor growth and metastasis. We aimed at evaluating the gene expression of PD-ECGF and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Patients and methods: Surgical specimens (28 HCC, 28 nontumorous liver tissues and 18 PVTT) were studied by Northern blot analysis. The levels of PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA expression were measured by densitometric scanning of the autoradiographs, and they were normalized to the level of expression of an internal control (glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase) mRNA. Results: The expression rates of PD-ECGF mRNA in PVTT, HCC and nontumorous liver tissues were 77.8% (14/18), 67.9% (19/28) and 35.7% (10/28), being 88.9% (16/18), 75.0% (21/28) and 17.9% (5/28) respectively for VEGF mRNA. The expressions of PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA were higher in HCC with PVTT than when PVTT was absent (P < 0.05). The PVTT was more often seen in patients with positive expression of both PD-ECGF mRNA and VEGF mRNA in HCC than in patients who were positive for only one of these factors or negative for both (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both PD-ECGF and VEGF correlated well with the formation of PVTT of HCC. Received: 20 June 1999 / Accepted: 20 July 1999     

Clinicopathological significance of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and cyclooxygenase-2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is a specific growth factor of lymphatics, which is known to play some role in tumor growth and metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs in various malignancies. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of VEGF-C in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) to elucidate its role in tumor progression and lymph node metastasis. Another aim of the study was to investigate the relation between VEGF-C and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in ESCC. METHODS: The expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 in ESCC was evaluated in 13 endoscopic mucosal resection specimens and in 21 surgical specimens by immunohistochemical staining. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: The degree of VEGF-C expression increased as the depth of primary tumor progressed (r = 0.521, P = 0.002), the stage progressed (r = 0.572, P < 0.001), and the degree of COX-2 expression increased (r = 0.387, P = 0.024). The VEGF-C positive rate was different between early cancers in which regional lymph node metastasis was thought to be absent and advanced cancers in which regional lymph node metastases were confirmed after surgery (20.0% vs 100.0%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The VEGF-C expression in ESCC is related to COX-2 expression, and VEGF-C is also associated with the depth of primary tumor, the stage, and probably lymph node metastasis. Thus the investigation of VEGF-C expression in ESCC may assist in management planning.     

膀胱移行细胞癌VEGF和VEGFR的表达及相关性的探讨

目的　探讨膀胱移行细胞癌 (BTCC)中血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)及其受体 (VEGFR)的表达及与两者之间的关系。方法　采用免疫组织化学链霉菌抗生物素 过氧化物酶连接法 (S P法 )对 30例BTCC及 1 0例正常膀胱黏膜组织中VEGF及VEGFR的表达进行检测。结果　VEGF和VEGFR在绝大多数BTCC中呈阳性表达 ,平均表达率分别为 87%和 73 %。随肿瘤分期和分级的升高其表达水平升高 ,但在正常膀胱组织中未见表达。结论　BTCC中VEGF和VEGFR表达阳性 ,提示其在BTCC的血管生成和侵袭进展过程中起着重要作用 ,并将有可能为BTCC抗血管形成治疗及预防提供新的思路     

Expression of breast cancer anti‐estrogen resistance 1 in relation to vascular endothelial growth factor,p53, and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell cancer

The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of breast cancer anti‐estrogen resistance 1 (BCAR1) expression in relation to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), p53, and proliferation in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). Expression of BCAR1, VEGF, p53, and the ki‐67 proliferative index were examined by tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry in 106 specimens with ESCC and matched adjacent normal tissues. Among them, 40 cases were simultaneously examined by Western blot. Both Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that BCAR1 expression was substantially higher in ESCC than in adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.001). BCAR1 expression was significantly connected with degree of tumor differentiation, with poorly differentiated tumors showing higher BCAR1 expression (P < 0.001). BCAR1 expression was significantly and positively correlated with VEGF and p53 expression levels (r= 0.541, P < 0.001; r= 0.374; P < 0.001) but not proliferative index (r= 0.44; P= 0.066). Additionally, a significant relationship was also observed between VEGF and p53 (r= 0.321; P= 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with high BCAR1 expression had significantly shorter survival times than those with low BCAR1 expression levels (median survival 40 months vs. 27 months, P= 0.09). Multivariate analysis also revealed that levels of BCAR1 expression (hazard ratio 2.250, P= 0.015) was a significant and independent prognostic indicator. High expression of BCAR1 is associated with elevated VEGF and p53 expression levels, as well as poor prognosis in ESCC. Therefore, BCAR1 may be a potential candidate for predicting prognosis and a new therapy target for ESCC.     

Down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in renal cell carcinoma cells by glucocorticoids

Metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCC) remain highly resistant to systemic therapy. RCCs are highly vascular tumors, which overproduce angiogenic peptides such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) even under normoxic conditions. A potential suggested role of antiangiogenic therapeutic strategies is the treatment of RCC by inhibiting VEGF production. The down-regulation of VEGF expression by glucocorticoids has recently been demonstrated in several cells. In this study, the direct effects of glucocorticoids on VEGF production by RCC cells were evaluated. Four RCC cell lines A498, RCC270, Caki1, and ACHN were treated with dexamethasone (DEX), hydrocortisone (HC), 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or estradiol (E2). RU486 was used as a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist. Cell growth was studied with MTS assays. VEGF mRNA and protein were evaluated with quantitative real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively, and GR expression was examined using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. All four RCC cell lines expressed GR. DEX at 100 nM down-regulated VEGF secretions by more than 50% in three lines (A498, RCC270, and Caki1) and had a weak inhibitory effect on ACHN cells. The effect of DEX on reducing VEGF mRNA levels in A498 cells was concentration-dependent and maximal at 100 nM (80% inhibition). HC had similar but weaker effects on VEGF production in the RCC cells, but E2 and DHT had no effect. RU486 reversed the effects of DEX. DEX at 1-1000 nM did not affect cell growth in any of the four RCC cell lines. This is the first study showing that glucocorticoids, at concentrations achievable in vivo by oral administration of low doses of DEX, have an inhibitory effect on VEGF mRNA expression and protein secretion of RCC cells possibly through the GR pathway. Furthermore, DEX might have a potential role in antiangiogenic therapeutic strategies by inhibiting VEGF production during metastatic RCC treatment.