Angiopoietin-2 and angiogenesis in patients with gastric carcinoma

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of angiopoietin-2(Ang-2) in gastric carcinoma and in normal tissues,the relationships between Ang-2 and microvessel density(MVD),and their bearing on clinical features.MethodsIn 51 gastric carcinoma specimens and 24 normal tissue controls,the expression of Ang-2 was tested by immunohistochemistry;the MVD was assayed by CD34 positive blood vessel count.ResultsThe expression of Ang-2 and MVD were significantly higher in gastric carcinoma than in normal tissue(P0.01).Remarkable positive correlation of Ang-2 protein expression with MVD could be found in gastric carcinoma(r=0.71,P0.01).The expression of Ang-2 was correlated with the tumor′s size,penetrating depth,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(P0.01).ConclusionThe high expression of Ang-2 protein may play an important role in angiogenesis and the progress of gastric carcinoma.