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。

Expression of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 and its clinical significance in BTCC

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine VEGFR-3 in BTCC and its correlation with clinical findings and the expression of VEGF-C. The prognostic value of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 related to progression of BTCC will be also evaluated.Methods:We assessed the levels of expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in 36 samples of BTCC and 8 normal bladder tissues.Results:VEGFR-3 was stained in tumor cells. Immunoreactivity for VEGFR-3 became significantly stronger with progressive lesions in tumor. The expression level of VEGFR-3 corresponded with that of VEGF-C in carcinoma cells. The expression levels of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in carcinoma cells were significantly corelated to lymphatic invasion.Conclusions:The present results suggest that an autocrine loop of VEGF-C via VEGFR-3 accelerates cells lymphatic invasion. Therefore, it will raise the possibility of anticarcinoma therapy which specifically targets VEGF-C/ VEGFR-3 interaction in BTCC.