Expression of VEGFR-3, CD31 and their correlation with metastasis in ovarian epithelial tumors / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and CD31 in relation to metastasis in ovarian epithelial tumors. METHODS: VEGFR-3 and CD31 expression were examined by immunohistochemical methods, VEGFR-3 positive microlymphatic count (MLC) and microvessel density (MVD) were assessed by the image analysis. RESULTS: Both MLC and MVD in ovarian epithelial carcinomas were higher than those in benign tumors(MLC, P 0 05). CONCLUSIONS: VEGFR-3 and CD31 expression correlate significantly with metastasis, MLC and MVD might predict peritumoral lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis, which may be as a biologic marker for metastasis in ovarian epithelial tumors. [