Evaluation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C role in urothelial carcinomas of the bladder.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has been associated with angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph node metastasis and was reported to have an anti-apoptotic and proliferative role.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

An immunohistochemical study was applied to 123 specimens of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) to detect VEGF-C and investigate its clinicopathological and prognostic value. VEGF-C-immunostained BUC specimens (123) were statistically correlated with histological grade and stage, patient overall survival and immuno-expression of Ki-67 and bax proteins.

RESULTS:

VEGF-C immunopositivity (27/123 BUCs, 22.0%) was inversely correlated with tumor stage and bax immunoexpression (p = 0.007 and p = 0.032, respectively). VEGF-C-positive BUCs tended to have better prognosis (univariate analysis).

CONCLUSION:

VEGF-C might be associated with an anti-apoptotic phenotype. Our controversial results regarding patient survival suggest that the role of VEGF-C in BUC progression and prognosis remains to be clarified.

• Authors: Eleni Mylona, Christina Magkou, George Gorantonakis, Ioanna Giannopoulou, Alexandros Nomikos, Aristides Zarogiannos, Anastasios Zervas, Lydia Nakopoulou
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2006 Sep-Oct Vol. 26 Issue 5A Pg. 3567-71 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 17094484 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cytoplasm (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness (pathology)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (metabolism)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (metabolism)