Expression of VEGF-D and its correlation with lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between expression of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) and lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis. METHODS:Specimens extracted from normal tissue and gastric carcinoma were stained immunohistochemically by a VEGF-D specific marker to compare the VEGF-D expression level from normal gastric tissue with that from gastric carcinomas. Lymphatic vessels were highlighted by D2-40,a specific marker for lymphatic vessels,and the lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was counted. RESULTS:The VEGF-D expression rate was significantly higher in the lymph node metastasis positive group (68.05%,49/72) as compared to that in the lymph node metastasis negative group (29.03%,9/31),χ2=13.41,P=0.001. The VEGF-D expression level correlated well with the severity of lymph node metastasis (χ2=13.41,P=0.001) and progression in TNM stage (χ2=22.05,P=0.000). However,no correlative pattern was established between the VEGF-D expression level and patients' age (χ2=2.68,P=0.101),patients' gender (χ2=0.42,P=0.518),or depth of tumor invasion (χ2=0.13,P=0.718) respactively. LVD detected from the VEGF-D positive group(35.42±10.33) was significantly higher than that detected from the VEGF-D negative group (17.71±5.28),t=4.71,P=0.000. CONCLUSIONS:The expression level of VEGF-D is closely associated with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis of gastric carcinomas. Selectively inhibiting VEGF-D expression may be an effective approach to control lymph node metastasis of gastric carcinomas.