Quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and its receptor-3 messenger RNA with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction as a predictor of lymph node metastasis in human colorectal cancer

Surgery. 2003 Mar;133(3):300-8. doi: 10.1067/msy.2003.45.

Abstract

Background: This study was undertaken to determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and the expression of its receptor VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) are correlated with lymph node metastasis in human colorectal cancer and whether their expression levels might be used to predict lymph node metastasis.

Methods: Fifty-three surgical specimens of colorectal cancer with (n = 24) or without (n = 29) lymph node metastasis were studied. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was quantified with a new method for kinetic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time quantitative (RTQ) reverse transcriptase-PCR. In addition, their protein expressions were assessed immunohistochemically.

Results: The VEGF-C mRNA level in primary tumors correlated with VEGF-C protein expression, lymph node metastasis, and lymphatic invasion. Sixteen of 24 patients with lymph node metastasis showed VEGF-C mRNA overexpression. Morphologically, VEGF-C protein expression in primary tumors showed a statistically significant relationship with lymph node metastasis and lymphatic invasion.

Conclusion: Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR is a sensitive method for detection and quantification of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of VEGF-C mRNA and protein in colorectal cancer are correlated with lymph node metastasis and lymphatic invasion.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • DNA, Complementary / analysis
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / analysis*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / analysis*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3