Angiogenic and Lymphangiogenic Microvessel Density in Terms of the Expression of CD31 and D2-40 in Colon Cancer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play important roles in the growth, progression and metastasis of colon cancer. We performed this study in order to investigate the significance of the CD31 and D2-40 expressions as prognostic factors in colon cancer. METHODS: The angiogenic and lymphagiogenic microvessel density was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of CD31 and D2-40 on samples that were resected from 66 patients with colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Strong correlation was observed between the CD31 microvessel density and being positive for having tumor emboli and lymph node metastasis (P=0.001, P=0.003). The D2-40 lymphatic vessel density was correlated with being positive for having tumor emboli (P=0.0001), the depth of invasion (P=0.0001), lymph node metastasis (P= 0.0001) and the cancer stage (P=0.0001). The D2-40 lymphatic vessel density was also correlated with the CD31 count (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the CD31 and D2-40 expressions are useful predictors of lymph node metastasis and they are prognostic factors for colon cancer.