Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer patients after curative surgery.

Abstract

AIMS:

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is an angiogenic factor that undergoes increased expression in colorectal carcinomas, but its prognostic value is a topic of debate. The aim of this study is to clarify the prognostic value of PD-ECGF expression in colorectal carcinomas.

METHODS:

PD-ECGF expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in frozen materials from 134 colorectal cancer patients who had received curative resections. Patients were divided into high expression and low expression groups based upon selected cut-off value. Correlations among PD-ECGF expression, clinicopathologic features, and disease-free interval were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. To evaluate the origin of PD-ECGF, serial sections of the 134 tumours were stained for PD-ECGF and CD68.

RESULTS:

PD-ECGF expression in the normal mucosa was 34.4+/-15.5 (Units/mg protein) and the cut-off value was 65.4 (mean+2SD). There were no significant correlations between clinicopathological features and PD-ECGF expression. The disease-free interval for the high PD-ECGF expression group was significantly longer than that of the low expression group (P=0.05). A multivariate Cox's regression analysis revealed that high PD-ECGF expression is an independent factor for better outcome. In immunohistochemical study, almost all tumour cells were negative for PD-ECGF, but stromal macrophages were predominantly positive for PD-ECGF.

CONCLUSIONS:

The PD-ECGF expression originated from stromal macrophages was a predictor for favorable outcome after curative resections for colorectal cancer.

• Authors: T Tsuji, T Sawai, H Yamashita, H Takeshita, T Nakagoe, H Shindou, H Fukuoka, M Yoshinaga, S Hidaka, T Yasutake, T Nagayasu, Y Tagawa
• Journal: European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology (Eur J Surg Oncol) Vol. 30 Issue 3 Pg. 296-302 (Apr 2004) ISSN: 0748-7983 [Print] England
• PMID: 15028312 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thymidine Phosphorylase

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Colectomy (methods)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (metabolism, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Thymidine Phosphorylase (biosynthesis)