Expression and significance of Ang-2,VEGF and MVD in gastric carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of Angiopoietin-2(Ang-2),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in gastric carcinoma and to explore their relationship with microvessel density(MVD)and clinicopathological features.Methods The expressions of Ang-2、VEGF were studied by immunohistochemistry in 51 gastric carcinoma specimens and 24 normal tissues as control.The microvessel density(MVD)was assayed by CD34 positive blood vessels counting.Results The positive rates of Ang-2,VEGF were 60.8%,53% respectively,and MVD was 31.9±11.2 in gastric carcinoma.However,in normal gastric tissues,they were 12.5%,4.17% and 13.1±4.3 respectively.Expressions of Ang-2,VEGF proteins were significantly higher in gastric carcinoma than those in normal tissue(all P0.01).The expression of Ang-2 was related to tumor size,penetrating depth,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(all P0.01).In gastric carcinoma,Ang-2 expression had a positive correlation with VEGF and MVD(r=0.846,P0.01 and r=0.71,P0.01 respectively).The expression of VEGF was correlated with penetrating depth,differentiation,tumor size,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(P0.05 or P0.01).There was a positive correlation between VEGF expression and MVD in gastric carcinoma(r=0.858,P0.01).MVD was related to penetrating depth,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(P0.01).Conclusion Over-expressions of Ang-2,VEGF proteins may play an important role in angiogenesis and progression of gastric carcinoma.