Prognostic Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiogenesis in Gastric Carcinoma

PURPOSE: Many studies have shown that angiogenesis has an important role in the growth, progression, and metastasis of solid tumors. Recently, several angiogenic factors have been identified. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well characterized inducer of angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the prognostic significance of the expression of VEGF in patients with an advanced gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens from 54 gastric adenocarcinoma patients were stained using a polyclonal antibody against VEGF. Correlations of the expression of VEGF, microvessel density, and various other clinicopathological factors were analysed. RESULTS: Seventeen (31.5%) and 37 cases (68.5%) were VEGF-negative and positive, respectively. There was significant correlation between the expression of VEGF and pathological differentiation. There were no significant correlations between the expression of VEGF, stage and recurrence of a gastric carcinoma. The microvessel density was significantly higher in the VEGF-positive than the VEGF-negative tumors. Survivals of the VEGF-negative patients were significantly prolonged compared to those of the VEGF-positive patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the expression of VEGF may be a useful prognostic factor for patients with a gastric adenocarcinoma.