OBJECTIVE: To investigate the the expression and hypoxic regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9.METHODS: VEGF mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 43 esophageal carcinoma specimens including 18 para-tumorous esophageal tissues. The expression of VEGF protein and mean microvessel density (MVD) in 56 specimens were examined by immunohistochemical stain. The effect of hypoxia on VEGF and MMP-9 expression in esophageal cancer cell lines was quantitatively determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: The VEGF expression in the tumorous tissue, being significantly correlated with MVD in the tumor, was remarkably higher than that in the para-tumorous tissue. VEGF and MVD expression in the tumor was significantly associated with stage and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma. The MMP-9 expression in the tumorous tissue, being uncorrelated with vessel count and clinicopathologic features in esophageal carcinoma, was significantly higher than that in the para-tumorous tissue. Hypoxia significantly increased the VEGF expression in esophageal cancer cell lines but did not affect the MMP-9 expression.CONCLUSIONS: The expression of VEGF plays an important role in the angiogenesis and metastasis of esophageal cancer, which is regulated by hypoxia. VEGF may serve as a predictor of progression in esophageal carcinoma and a potential target for antiangiogenic therapy of esophageal carcinoma.
Endothelial Growth Factors Esophageal Neoplasms