ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relation of heparanase gene and angiogenesis with the progress of gastric carcinoma (GC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of heparanase mRNA in 52 GC tissue was detected by in situ hybridization assay. Microvessel density (MVD) was examined by immunohistochemical method. MVD and heparanase mRNA expression were analysed with their relation to histological grade, invasion depth,lymph node metastasis and organ metastasis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MVD was 73.2 +/- 22.8 in 25 (48.1%) tissue with positive heparanase mRNA. It was 44.8 +/- 11.9 in 27 (51.9%) tissues with negative heparanase mRNA, between which the difference was significant (P < 0.001). MVD and heparanase mRNA expression were related with lymph node metastasis and depth of serosal invasion in GC (P < 0.005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Heparanase, being related to angiogenesis in gastric cancer, promotes growth, invasion and metastasis. Heparanase mRNA expression is an important predictor of the biological behavior of human gastric carcinoma.</p>