Lymphangiogenic VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in genetically characterised gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Antônio Talvane Torres de Oliveira; Rui M Reis; Julieta Afonso; Olga Martinho; Delcio Matos; André Lopes Carvalho; Vinícius Lima Vazquez; Thiago Buosi Silva; Cristovam Scapulatempo; Sarhan Sydney Saad; Adhemar Longatto-Filho

doi:10.14670/HH-26.1499

Lymphangiogenic VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in genetically characterised gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Histol Histopathol. 2011 Dec;26(12):1499-507. doi: 10.14670/HH-26.1499.

Authors

Antônio Talvane Torres de Oliveira¹, Rui M Reis, Julieta Afonso, Olga Martinho, Delcio Matos, André Lopes Carvalho, Vinícius Lima Vazquez, Thiago Buosi Silva, Cristovam Scapulatempo, Sarhan Sydney Saad, Adhemar Longatto-Filho

Affiliation

¹ Department of Digestive Surgery and Pathology and Center for Researcher Support, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Pio XII Foundation, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil.

PMID: 21972089
DOI: 10.14670/HH-26.1499

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the distribution of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and to analyse the value of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in a tumour that is believed to preferentially metastasize through blood vessel conduits. A panel of immunohistochemical antibodies was used to evaluate 51 cases of genetically characterised GISTs: VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, D2-40 (for LVD assessment) and CD31 (for blood vessel density--BDV--assessment). The results were correlated with the clinical-pathological data. The large majority of cases (86.2%; 44/51) showed a mutation of the KIT gene, most of them (72.5%; 37/51) revealing mutations in exon 11. VEGFR-3 was predominantly expressed in KIT mutated GISTs (p=0.019). High LVD was correlated with the absence of metastasis (p=0.010) and high BVD showed a positive correlation with the occurrence of metastasis (p=0.049). The strong expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in GIST's cells was not correlated with the clinical parameters of aggressiveness, nor with high LVD.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
Blood Vessels / chemistry
Brazil
DNA Mutational Analysis
Female
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / blood supply
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / chemistry*
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / genetics
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / mortality
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / pathology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Kaplan-Meier Estimate
Lymphangiogenesis*
Lymphatic Vessels / chemistry*
Lymphatic Vessels / pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Mutation
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / analysis
Predictive Value of Tests
Prognosis
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / genetics
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate
Time Factors
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / analysis*
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / analysis*

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Biomarkers, Tumor
Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
VEGFC protein, human
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
monoclonal antibody D2-40
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
BRAF protein, human
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf