mRNA expression of IGF-IIand HGF in relation to microvascular density, tumor progression and prognosis of gastric carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether correlation exists between mRNA expression of IGF-II and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and tumor progression and prognosis in gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In situ hybridization technique was used to examine mRNA expression of IGF-II and HGF, and immunohistochemical technique was used to examine protein expression of CD34 in 105 specimens of gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In situ hybridization revealed that the positive rates of IGF-II mRNA and HGFmRNA were 49.5% and 57.1%, respectively. In stage T3-T4 cases, positive mRNA expression rates of IGF-II and HGF, the frequencies of vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were significantly higher than those in stage T1-T2 cases. The mean microvascular density (MVD) in stage T3-T4 tumors, vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were significantly more frequent than those in stage T1-T2 tumors. The mean MVD in tumors with positive IGF-II and HGF expressions was significantly higher than that in tumors without IGF-II and HGF expression. There were positive correlations between MVD and expression of IGF-II and HGF. The mean survival time and 5-year survival rate in cases with positive IGF-II and HGF expression and MVD value > or = 39.5 were significantly shorter those that in cases with negative IGF-II and HGF expression and MVD value < 39.5.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IGF-II and HGF promote angiogenesis in gastric cancer, and take part in tumor invasion and metastasis. They can be used as prognostic markers of gastric cancer in clinical practice.</p>