[The relationship of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenesis to the progression of gastric carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis to the progression of gastric carcinoma (GC). METHODS: VEGF protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) in 56 cases of human GC and VEGF mRNA expression in some cases were examined by use of immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization technique respectively. MVD and VEGF expression were analysed together with their relation to histologic types, depth of invasion, growth pattern, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and relapsing rate of GC. RESULTS: MVD was significantly higher in VEGF-positive GC than in VEGF-negative GC (P < 0.01). MVD and VEGF positively correlated with depth of invasion (P < 0.01), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05) and distant metastasis (P < 0.05), but their relation to the histologic types and growth pattern of GC was not significant. The 5 year survival rate was significantly lower in GC patients with positive expression of VEGF or with MVD > or = 43. The expression of VEGF mRNA was consistent with that of VEGF protein, but the distribution is different. CONCLUSION: VEGF is highly related to angiogenesis of GC and promotes growth, invasion and metastasis of GC. VEGF expression or MVD is one of the predictors for the biological behavior of GC.