Relation of VEGF-C and CD44V6 expression with cervical lymph metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo explore the relation of VEGF-C and CD44V6 expression with cervical lymph metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma.MethodsThe expression of VEGF-C and CD44V6 in 80 specimens of papillary thyroid carcinoma were evaluated with SP immunohistochemical methods. Lymphangiogenesis was examined by immunohistochemical staining with the specific D2-40 antibody and evaluated by lymphatic vessel density(LVD).In all the 80 cases,there were 38 cases with cervical lymph node metastases and 42 cases without cervical lymph node metastasis. ResultsThe positive expression rates of VEGF-C and CD44V6 in the cases with cervical metastases were 86.84 ％ (33/38) and 81.58 ％ (31/38) respectively,and in the cases without cervical lymph metastases were 61.90 ％ (26/42) and 52.38 ％ (22/42) respectively.There were significant differences in the positive expression rates of VEGF-C and CD44V6between two groups(P＜0.05). In the cases with lymph node metastases,there were positive correlations between VEGF-C and CD44V6 expression(r=0.525,P＜0.0l).Conclusion VEGF-C and CD44V6 play important roles in lymph metastasis and invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma.VEGF-C and CD44V6 can be considered as a marker of pathological and biological behavior of papillary thyroid carcinoma.