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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2006; 12(38): 6182-6187
Published online Oct 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i38.6182
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors VEGFR-1 and 2 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyomas and schwannomas
Toshiyuki Nakayama, Yang Cheul Cho, Yuka Mine, Ayumi Yoshizaki, Shinji Naito, Chun Yang Wen, Ichiro Sekine
Toshiyuki Nakayama, Yang Cheul Cho, Yuka Mine, Ayumi Yoshizaki, Ichiro Sekine, Department of Tumor and Diagnostic Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
Shinji Naito, Division of Pathology, Research Laboratory, National Ureshino Medical Center, Saga 843-0301, Japan
Chun Yang Wen, Department of Digestive Disease, Affiliated hospital of Beihua University, Jilin 132011, Jilin Province, China
Correspondence to: Toshiyuki Nakayama, MD, Department of Tumor and Diagnostic Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan. toshi-n@nagasaki-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-95-8497107 Fax: +81-95-8497108
Received: April 11, 2006
Revised: April 28, 2006
Accepted: May 25, 2006
Published online: October 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors VEGFR-1 and 2 in the growth and differentiation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

METHODS: Thirty-three GISTs, 15 leiomyomas and 6 schwannomas were examined by immunohistochemistry in this study.

RESULTS: VEGF protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells, and VEGFR-1 and 2 were expressed both in the cytoplasm and on the membrane of all tumors. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that 26 GISTs (78.8%), 9 leiomyomas (60.0%) and 3 schwannomas (50.0%) were positive for VEGF; 24 GISTs (72.7%), 12 leiomyomas (80.0%) and 4 schwannomas (66.7%) were positive for VEGFR-1; 30 GISTs (90.9%), 5 leiomyomas (33.3%) and 4 schwannomas (66.7%) were positive for VEGFR-2. VEGFR-2 expression was statistically different between GISTs and leiomyomas (P < 0.0001). However, there was no correlation between the expression of VEGF pathway componenets and the clinical risk categories.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the VEGF pathway may play an important role in the differentiation of GISTs, leiomyomas and schwannomas.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor; Leiomyoma; Schwannoma; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors