The Correlation between the Expression of E-cadherin, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and the Real Extent of Lymph Node Metastases using Cytokeratin 18 in Early Gastric Cancer.
10.5230/jkgca.2008.8.2.70
- Author:
Dae Hoon KIM
1
;
Hyo Yung YUN
;
Young Jin SONG
;
Dong Hee RYU
;
In Choel MIN
;
Rohyun SUNG
;
Sang Eok LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea. yunhyo@chungbuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
E-cadherin;
VEGF-C;
VEGF-D;
Lymph node metastasis;
Early gastric cancer
- MeSH:
Cadherins;
Humans;
Keratin-18;
Keratins;
Lymph Nodes;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Stomach Neoplasms;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D
- From:Journal of the Korean Gastric Cancer Association
2008;8(2):70-78
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: VEGF-C and VEGF-D are angiogenetic factors, and abnormal expression of E-cadherin hasa role in the progression of gastric carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the expression of E-cadherin, VEGF-C and VEGF-D with the presence of lymph node metastases (LNM) using cytokeratin 18 in early gastric cancer (EGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for E-cadherin, VEGF-C and VEGF-D was performed in 49 EGC patients from March 1997 to December 2002. To evaluate the real extent of LNM, 1,562 lymph nodes from 49 patients were re-examined with the use of cytokeratin 18. RESULTS: Eleven (0.7%) LNM were newly found in 12.2% (n=6) of patients. The real LNM rate was 3.6% in mucosal invasive (m) cancer and 38.1% in submucosal invasive (sm). Stage migration was seen in three patients (6.1%). Abnormal expression of E-cadherin was detected in 36.7% of the patients and expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D was detected in 16.3% and 36.7% of the patients, respectively. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (P=0.0103) and Lauren classification (P<0.0001). There was no positive relationship of VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression with the clinicopathological findings for EGC including LNM. However, the frequency of lymph node metastases was significantly higher in patients that demonstrated abnormal expression of E-cadherin with positive immunoreactivity of VEGF-C or VEGF-D (P=0.031). CONCLUSION: In present study, we could not demonstrate a relationship between the presence of LNM and expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in EGC. However, VEGF-C or VEGF-D expression, in addition to the abnormal expression of E-cadherin, was correlated with the real extent of LNM in EGC.
