血管内皮生长因子-C在口腔癌中的rn表达及与颈淋巴结转移关系

摘要

Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is known to be capable of inducing cell proliferation of lymphatic endothelia and development of lymphatic vessels. Thus, in the current study the expression of VEGF-C was investigated to understand the mechanism of lymphatic metastasis of oral cancer. Methods:VEGF-C protein expression in benign and malignant oral lesions was investigated with an immunohistochemical staining assay, followed by light microscopic examination and image analysis. Results: Immunohistostaining of VEGF-C was observed in normal, benign and malignant epithelia, as well as in some lymphatic vessels. The VEGF-C positive rate was significantly higher in squamous carcinomas than in normal tissues and benign lesions. It was also noted that in squamous carcinomas the expression level of VEGF-C correlated well with pathological grades and stages of lymph node metastasis, but not with clinical grades. Conclusion: These findings suggest that VEGF-C may promote lymphatic metastasis of oral cancer, and it is possible to be used as a predictor for the lymphatic metastasis and prognosis of oral cancer.%目的:了解口腔癌的颈淋巴结转移机制,观察具有介导淋巴管内皮细胞和淋巴管增殖的血管内皮生长因子-C(VEGF-C)在口腔癌中的表达。方法:采用免疫组化染色,光镜及图像分析观察并确定VEGF-C在正常口腔粘膜、白斑及鳞癌等组织中的表达。结果:在正常及病变上皮组织中皆有VEGF-C的表达,部分淋巴管也有表达。但鳞癌组织表达明显高于正常口腔粘膜及白斑;鳞癌表达强度与病理分级、淋巴结转移密切相关,与临床分期无关。结论:VEGF-C通过介导淋巴管内皮细胞及淋巴管增殖有利于颈淋巴道转移的发生,VEGF-C检测可作为预测淋巴道转移及预后判断的指标之一。