Histochemical study of vascular endothelial growth factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Koide, N.; Nishio, A.; Kono, T.; Yazawa, K.; Igarashi, J.; Watanabe, H.; Nimura, Y.; Hanazaki, K.; Adachi, W.; Amano, J.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 46(26): 952-958
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 10370645 Document Number: 508619
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.