The expression pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor C and D in human esophageal normal mucosa, dysplasia and neoplasia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and D (VEGF-D) are considered to be potentially lymphangiogenic and can selectively induce hyperplasia of the lymphatic vasculature. In this study, we examined the expression of VEGF-C and -D in esophageal carcinoma.

METHODOLOGY

With immunohistochemical staining using specific antibodies, we classified 26 esophageal carcinoma cases and 11 dysplasia cases.

RESULTS

All esophageal carcinomas clearly expressed VEGF-C. In esophageal dysplasia, 9 (82%) lcases were positive for VEGF-C, and 2 (18%) were negative. In contrast, none of the normal esophageal mucosa expressed VEGF-C. Seventeen (65%) of 26 cases of esophageal carcinoma were positively stained for VEGF-D and 7 (35%) were negative. VEGF-D was also positive in 2 (18%) cases of esophageal dysplasia, but in no cases of normal tissue. VEGF-C was detected in all carcinomas and dysplastic lesions that expressed VEGF-D.

CONCLUSIONS

Active production of VEGF-C and -D was observed not only in esophageal carcinomas but also in some dysplastic lesions. This finding raises the possibility that VEGF-C and -D might play positive roles in the early stage of esophageal carcinogenesis.