Gastric Cancer
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2008; 14(3): 421-427
Published online Jan 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.421
Correlation of integrin β3 mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression profiles with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric carcinoma
Shu-Guang Li, Zai-Yuan Ye, Zhong-Sheng Zhao, Hou-Quan Tao, Yuan-Yu Wang, Chun-Yu Niu
Shu-Guang Li, Zai-Yuan Ye, Zhong-Sheng Zhao, Hou-Quan Tao, Yuan-Yu Wang, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China
Shu-Guang Li, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
Chun-Yu Niu, Shu-Guang Li, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 07500, Hebei Province, China
Correspondence to: Dr. Zhong-Sheng Zhao, Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China. zjsrmyy@126.com
Telephone: +86-571-85893289
Received: August 6, 2007
Revised: November 2, 2007
Published online: January 21, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To investigate integrin β3 mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in gastric carcinoma, and its correlation with microvascular density, growth-pattern, invasion, metastasis and prognosis.

METHODS: In situ hybridization (ISH) of integrin β3 mRNA and immunohistochemistry of VEGF and CD34 protein were performed on samples from 118 patients with gastric cancer.

RESULTS: The positive rate of integrin β3 mRNA in non-tumor gastric mucosa (20%) was significantly lower than that of the gastric cancer tissue (52.5%, χ2 = 10.20, P < 0.01). In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the positive expression rates of integrin β3 mRNA were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type (P < 0.01), stage T1-T2 (P < 0.01), non-vessel invasion (P < 0.01), without lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.01), without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis (P < 0.01), respectively. In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the positive expression rates of VEGF protein were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type (P < 0.01), stage T1-T2 (P < 0.01), non-vessel invasion (P < 0.01), without lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.01), without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis (P < 0.01), respectively. In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the mean MVD were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type (P < 0.01), stage T1-T2 (P < 0.01), non-vessel invasion (P < 0.01), without lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.01), without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis (P < 0.01), respectively. It was found that the positive expression rate of integrin β3 mRNA was positively related to that of VEGF protein (P < 0.01) and MVD (P < 0.05), meanwhile the positive expression rate of VEGF protein was positively related to MVD (P < 0.05). The mean survival period in patients with positive expression of integrin β3 mRNA and VEGF, and MVD ≥ 54.9/mm2 was significantly shorter than that in patients with negative expression of integrin β3 mRNA (P < 0.05) and VEGF (P < 0.01), and MVD < 54.9/mm2 (P < 0.01). Five-year survival rate in patients with positive expression of integrin β3 mRNA and VEGF, and MVD ≥ 54.9/mm2 was significantly lower than those with negative expression of integrin β3 mRNA (P < 0.05), VEGF (P < 0.05), and MVD < 54.9/mm2 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Integrin β3 and VEGF expression can synergistically enhance tumor angiogenesis, and may play a crucial role in invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. Therefore, they may be prognostic biomarkers and novel molecular therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Stomach neoplasms; Integrin β3; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Metastasis; Prognosis