Expression of VEGF-C,D and their receptors mRNA in esophageal carcinoma promotes lymphatic metastasis

Objective To investigate the expression of VEGF-C,D and their receptors mRNA in esophageal carcinoma tissues and the relationship between their expression and tumor lymphatic metastasis.Methods The expression of VEGF-C,VEGF-D,KDR and Flt-4 mRNA was examined by RT-PCR in 53 esophageal carcinoma tissues and 14 cases of the normal esophageal mucosa.Further analysis was performed on the relationship between expression of VEGF-C,VEGF-D and KDR,Flt-4 mRNA expression and tumor lymphatic metastasis.Results In 53 esophageal carcinoma tissues,the positive expression rates of VEGF-C,VEGF-D KDR and Flt-4 mRNA were 81.1%,77.4%,66.0%,60.2%,respectively.The expression of VEGF-C,VEGF-D,KDR and FLT-4 mRNA in the cases with lymphnode metastasis was higher than that without lymphatic metastasis.The differences were statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusions Expression of VEGF-C,VEGF-D,KDR and Flt-4 mRNA in esophageal carcinoma tissues correlates with tumor lymphnode metastasis and may act as a key factor in the facilitation of lymphatic metastasis in esophageal carcinoma.