VEGF-C和受体VEGFR-3mRNA在食管鳞癌中的表达及意义

Significance and Expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA in Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma

目的:观察血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)及其受体血管内皮生长因子受体3(VEGFR-3)在食管鳞癌组织中的表达,分析其与肿瘤淋巴结转移的关系。方法:采用RT-PCR方法检测32例食管鳞癌组织、10例正常食管粘膜中VEGF-C/VEGFR-3mRNA的表达情况,分析其与各临床病理因素之间的关系。结果:食管鳞癌组织中VEGF-CmRNA表达阳性率为68.75%(22/32),其中18例VEGFR-3mRNA阳性,VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的表达密切相关(P<0.01)。VEGF-CmRNA的表达与食管鳞癌的淋巴结转移、浸润深度显著相关(P<0.01,P<0.05),但与患者年龄、肿瘤大小及分化程度无关。正常食管粘膜中未见VEGF-C/VEGFR-3mRNA表达。结论:VEGF-C/VEGFR-3是促进食管鳞癌经淋巴结转移的重要因素。

Objective： To investigate the expression of VEGF-C and its receptor VEGFR-3 in esophageal squamous carcinoma, and the relationship between their expression and tumor lymphatic metastasis. Methods： The expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA was examined by RT-PCR in 32 cases of the esophageal squamous carcinoma and 10 cases of the normal esophageal mucosa, followed by the further analysis on the relationship between VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression and clinicalpathological parameters. Results： VEGF-C mRNA was detected in 22 of 32 （68.75%） neoplastic esophageal lesions, and VEGFR-3 mRNA expressed in 18 cases of the VEGF-C mRNA positive tissues. There was a statistically positive correlation between the incidence of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA （P〈0.01）. The expression of VEGF-C mRNA was significantly associated with the depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis （P〈0.05, P〈0.01, respectively）, but not to the patient age, tumor size or differentiation. The expression of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 mRNA in normal mucosa was under detectable level. Conclusion： VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 may act as key factors in the facilitation of lymphatic metastasis in esophageal squamous carcinoma.