Expression of VEGF-C and FLT-4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue

Aim:To explore the expression of VEGF-C and FLT-4 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) tissue.Methods:SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of VEGF-C and FLT-4 protein in 50 cases of ESCC tissue,19 cases of adjacent atypical hyperplasia epithelium and 50 cases of normal esophageal epithelium.Results:The expression rates of VEGF-C protein decreased by turns in carcinoma,adjacent atypical hyperplasia epithelium and normal esophageal epithelium specimens which were 82.0%(41/50),47.4%(9/19) and 26.0%(13/50) respectively.There was significant difference among the 3 groups(P0.05).The expression rates of FLT-4 protein decreased,too,which were 72.0%(36/50),36.8%(7/19),and 18.0%(9/50) respectively.There was significant difference among the 3 groups(P0.05).The expression of VEGF-C protein was closely related with the infiltrative depth and lymphatic metastasis of ESCC(P0.05).The expression of FLT-4 protein was closely related with the lymphatic metastasis of ESCC(P0.05).The expression of VEGF-C protein was positively correlated with the expression of FLT-4 in ESCC tissue.Conclusion:VEGF-C and FLT-4 play important roles in the infiltration,metastasis and carcinogenesis of ESCC.United examining VEGF-C and FLT-4 can become one of molecular indexes in the early diagnosis and prognostic judgement of ESCC.