Vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression and its relationship to pelvic lymph node status in invasive cervical cancer.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has been implicated in lymphangiogenesis, the process of new lymphatics formation. The present study investigated VEGF-C mRNA expression in invasive cervical cancer tissue. Additionally, the association of VEGF-C mRNA with clinicopathological features was examined. VEGF-C mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using beta-action as an internal control. 75 patients presenting with invasive cervical cancer were included in the trial. VEGF-C mRNA expression was markedly higher in tumours in which pelvic lymph node metastasis was diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (P = 0.002). 53 patients displaying stage Ib-IIb cervical cancer underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. VEGF-C expression was significantly higher in tumours exhibiting deep stromal invasion, pelvic lymph node metastasis and lymph-vascular space involvement (P = 0.016, P = 0.006 and P = 0.036, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed VEGF-C mRNA expression to be the sole independent factor influencing pelvic lymph node metastasis. Subjects demonstrating VEGF-C mRNA expression displayed significantly poorer prognoses than those lacking VEGF-C mRNA expression (P = 0.049). These findings provide evidence supporting the involvement of VEGF-C expression in the promotion of lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer. Furthermore, examination of VEGF-C expression in biopsy specimens may be beneficial in the prediction of pelvic lymph node metastasis.

• Authors: I Hashimoto, J Kodama, N Seki, A Hongo, M Yoshinouchi, H Okuda, T Kudo
• Journal: British journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 85 Issue 1 Pg. 93-7 (Jul 06 2001) ISSN: 0007-0920 [Print] England
• PMID: 11437408 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2001 Cancer Research Campaign.

Chemical References

• Endothelial Growth Factors
• RNA, Messenger
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C

Topics

• Cervix Uteri (metabolism)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Endothelial Growth Factors (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Hysterectomy
• Lymph Node Excision
• Lymph Nodes (pathology)
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Pelvis
• RNA, Messenger (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Uterine Cervical Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology, surgery)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C