Expression and significance of vascular endothelial growth factor D in gastric cancer

Objective: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) in gastric cancer and its relationship with lymph node metastasis. Methods: 100 cases of gastric carcinoma tissues (50 cases with lymph node metastasis, 50 cases negative) and 30 cases of normal gastric tissues were gathered to detect the expressions of VEGF-C and D proteins by immunohistochemistry. Results: VEGF-C and D were revealed in cytoplasm of gastric carcinoma tissues and normal gastric tissues. The positive rates of VEGF-C and D expressions were significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than those in the normal ones (51%, 60% vs 10%, 20% respectively; both P < 0.05). There were significant correlations be- tween the positive expression of VEGF-D and lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, positive expression of VEGF-C, but not with tumour size, tissue differentiation, and venous invasion. Conclusion: The expression of VEGF-D is closely related to lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma.

VEGF-D expression correlates with colorectal cancer aggressiveness and is downregulated by cetuximab

AIM:To gain mechanistic insights into the role played by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS:The impact of high-level expression of the growth factor receptors EGFR and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)3 and the VEGFR3 ligands VEGF-C and VEGF-D on disease progression and prognosis in human CRC was investigated in 108 patients using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the expression of the lymphangiogenic factors in response to the modulation of EGFR signalling by the EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody cetuximab was investigated at the mRNA and protein level in human SW480 and SW620 CRC cell lines and a mouse xenograft model. RESULTS: Human CRC specimens and cell lines displayed EGFR, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression with varying intensities. VEGF-C expression was associated with histological grade. Strong expression of VEGF-D was significantly associated with lymph node metastases and linked to a trend for decreased survival in lymph node-positive patients. EGFR blockade with cetuximab resulted in a significant decrease of VEGF-D expression in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION:In conclusion, the expression of VEGF-D in colorectal tumours is significantly associated with lymphatic involvement in CRC patients and such expression might be blocked effectively by cetuximab.