Expression of angiogenic factors and its receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma and their relations with intrahepatic metastasis and recurrenceof hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the expression of the angiogenic factors-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),vascular endothelial growth factor c (VEGF c), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 4 (fit 4)in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and the relationship between their expression and intrahepatic metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:With the immunohistochemical staining, specimens(tissue sections) from 50 patients with HCC were studied to observe the expressions of VEGF, VEGF c and fit 4 in hepatocellular carcinoma .Results:The expression rates of VEGF , VEGF c and fit 4 in HCC tissues were 74%,62% and 44% ,respectively,much higher than in the cirrhotic and normal liver tissues (P0.01). The expression rates of VEGF , VEGF c and fit 4 were positively correlated with intrahepatic metastasis, recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and portal tumor thrombus (PVTT) and negatively correlated with the survival rates (P0.05). Conclusion:The results of the study show that VEGF , VEGF c and fit 4 may play an important role in the process of formation of vascularity , metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.