Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in esophageal carcinoma and preliminary inquiry into its clinical significance

ObjectiveTo study the expression and clinical prognostication of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in esophageal carcinoma. MethodsIn 25 bioptic specimens of esophageal carcinoma,the expression of VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA were assessed with immunohistochemical stain and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then,the correlation between VEGF expression and clinical progression of lymphatic metastasis were evaluated. ResultsOur preliminary study demonstrated that no evident correlation of expression of VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA with gender,age,lesion location,T stage,N stage,venous invasion,nervous invasion and histological grade were found. Patients with lymph node metastasis had a higher expression of VEGF,which indicated that VEGF may be related to lymph node metastasis. But the positive expression rate of VEGF mRNA was 44% without prognostic significance. The dominant subtypes of VEGF consisted of VEGF121 and VEGF165 in esophageal carcinoma. ConclusionsThe method of RT-PCR is an appropriate measure to assess the expression of VEGF mRNA. Our preliminary study shows that no significant correlation is found between the expression of VEGF protein ,VEGF mRNA and prognosis of esophageal carcinoma. More cases should be accumulated and the further investigation of the subtype of VEGF mRNA and its biological behavior seems indicated.