Investigation of VEGF expression in prostate cancer

ObjectivesTo investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in human prostate cancer (PCa),and to study the relationship between their expression and the pathological grade,clinical stage of PCa.MethodsBenign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and PCa specimens were obtained from patients undergoing prostatectomy in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Medical College.VEGF was examined by in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry method in tissues of 23 cases of PCa and 10 cases of BPH.The condition of VEGF expression was analysed with computer image system.ResultsVEGF level in PCa was much higher than that in BPH.The expression of VEGF was definitely different between different degrees of malignancy and invasion of PCa.Conclusions No correlation was detected among patient′s age,volume of prostate,prostate specific antigen(PSA) and BPH,but the expression of VEGF positively correlated with the degree of cancer malignancy and invasion of PCa.VEGF is a good molecular marker of PCa which can be used to assist diagnosis and predict prognosis.Its inhibition might be used in the treatment of PCa .