The predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor and Ki-67 expression on neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer

Objective： To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （Ki-67） in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma and their associations with neoadjuvant therapy. Methods： The expressions of Ki-67 and VEGF in 32 cases of rectal adenocarcinoma, including both pretreatment tumor biopsies and postoperative specimen, were detected by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies, and were correlated with clinicopathological factors. Results： The intensity of VEGF staining was significantly correlated with lymph nodal metastasis （P =0.033）, depth of tumor invasion （P =0.007） and tumor stage （P= 0.016）, but not with histological types, tumor sizes, patients＇ ages and genders （P 〉 0.05）. Low level of VEGF expression had significant correlation with the high sensitivity of response to neoadjuvant therapy （P = 0.016）. The transient increase of VEGF expression could be seen after neoadjuvant therapy （P = 0.035）. Ki-67 labeling index （Ki-67-LI） was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis （P = 0.028）, but not correlated to tumor sizes, patients＇ ages and genders （P 〉 0.05）. Tumors with lower Ki-67-LI were more sensitive to neoadjuvant therapy （P = 0.032）. The Ki-67 level decreased after neoadjuvant therapy, but no statistical significance was found （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： Our results demonstrate that the expression of VEGF and Ki-67 in pretreatment rectal adenocarcinoma biopsies may be predictive of tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy.

The expressions and clinical significance of P53, C-erbB-2 and VEGF in non-small cell lung cancer

Objective： To investigate the expressions and the clinical significance of P53, C-erbB-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： 121 specimens of NSCLC were examined for P53, C-erbB-2 and VEGF by immunohistochemical staining. Results： The positive rates of P53, C-erbB-2 and VEGF in the carcinomatous tissue were 43%, 39% and 31% respectively. P53 gene protein expression in lung cancer was significantly related to histological type and P-TNM staging of lung cancer patients （P 〈 0.05）, and was not associated with the sex, age, the size of primary cancer, lymph node metastasis and cell differentiation （P 〉 0.05）. C-erbB-2 gene protein expression in lung cancer was closely related to histological type and cell differentiation （P 〈 0.05）, and was not associated with the sex, age, the size of primary cancer, lymph node metastasis and P-TNM staging of lung cancer patients （P 〉 0.05）. VEGF in lung cancer was only closely related to cell differentiation （P 〈 0.05）, and was not associated with the sex, age, the size of pdmary cancer, lymph node metastasis, histological type and P-TNM staging of lung cancer patients （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： It is possible for P53, C-erbB-2 and VEGF to play an important role in the oncogenesis and development of non-small cell lung cancer.

Effects of Buyang Huanwu Tang Combined with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation on the Expression of VEGF and Ki-67 in the Brain Tissue of the Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Model Rat

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tang (补阳还五汤 Decoction Invigorating Yang for Recuperation) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation in protecting nerves of cerebral ischemic injury. Methods: Local cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rat model was established with modified Zea-Longa thread-occlusion method, and MSCs were injected into the caudal vein, and Buyang Huanwu Tang(补阳还五汤)was administrated. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Ki-67 expression in the ischemic side of the brain in the cerebral ischemic-reperfusion rat were detected with immuno-histochemical staining method. Results: VEGF and Ki-67 expressions were significantly up-regulated in the MSCs group and the combination group, with significant differences as compared with the model group and the sham operation group (P<0.05), and with the most strongest effect in the combination group. Conclusion: Buyang Huanwu Tang(补阳还五汤)combined with MSCs transplantation repairs the injured blood vessels and lesion tissues possibly by up-regulation of VEGF and Ki-67 expression.