Association Between c-Met and Lymphangiogenic Factors in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.
- Author:
Han Jo KIM
1
;
Moo Jun BAEK
;
Dong Hyun KANG
;
Sang Cheol LEE
;
Sang Byung BAE
;
Kyu Taek LEE
;
Namsu LEE
;
Hyungjoo KIM
;
Dongjun JEONG
;
Tae Sung AHN
;
Moon Soo LEE
;
Dae Sik HONG
;
Jong Ho WON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Lymphangiogenesis; c-Met; Colorectal neoplasms
- MeSH: Chungcheongnam-do; Colorectal Neoplasms*; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymph Nodes; Lymphangiogenesis; Models, Animal; Neoplasm Metastasis; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
- From:Annals of Coloproctology 2018;34(2):88-93
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: Animal models show a strong relationship between lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis. However, the clinical significance of lymphangiogenesis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association between c-Met and lymphangiogenic factors and to elucidate the prognostic significance of c-Met in patients with CRC. METHODS: A total of 379 tissue samples were obtained from surgically resected specimens from patients with CRC at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital between January 2002 and December 2010. The expressions of c-Met, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, and podoplanin were examined using immunohistochemistry. The expression of c-Met and clinical factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 379 tissues, 301 (79.4%) had c-Met expression. High expression of c-Met in tumor cells was significantly associated with high expression of VEGF-C (P < 0.001) and VEGFR-3 (P = 0.001). However, no statistically significant association with podoplanin (P = 0.587) or VEGF-D (P = 0.096) was found. Of the 103 evaluable patients, expression of c-Met in tumor cells was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.020), positive lymph node status (P = 0.038), and high expression of VEGF-C (P = 0.020). However, no statistically significant association with podoplanin (P = 0.518), VEGFR-3 (P = 0.085), VEGF-D (P = 0.203), or overall survival (P = 0.360) was found. CONCLUSION: Our results provide indirect evidence for an association and possible regulatory link of c-Met with the lymphangiogenic markers, but c-Met expression in patients with CRC is not a prognostic indicator for overall survival.
