Lymphangiogenic VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in genetically characterised gastrointestinal stromal tumours

• Main Author: Torres de Oliveira, Antonio Talvane
• Publication Date: 2011
• Other Authors: Reis, Rui M., Afonso, Julieta, Martinho, Olga, Matos, Delcio, Carvalho, Andre Lopes, Vazquez, Vinicius Lima, Silva, Thiago Buosi, Scapulatempo, Cristovam, Saad, Sarhan Sydney, Longatto-Filho, Adhemar
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/11449/194730
• topic: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours; KIT; D2-40; VEGF-C; VEGFR-3

This study aimed to assess the distribution of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and to analyse the value of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in a tumour that is believed to preferentially metastasize through blood vessel conduits. A panel of immunohistochemical antibodies was used to evaluate 51 cases of genetically characterised GISTs: VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, D2-40 (for LVD assessment) and CD31 (for blood vessel density BDV - assessment). The results were correlated with the clinical-pathological data. The large majority of cases (86.2%; 44/51) showed a mutation of the KIT gene, most of them (72.5%; 37/51) revealing mutations in exon 11. VEGFR-3 was predominantly expressed in KIT mutated GISTs (p=0.019). High LVD was correlated with the absence of metastasis (p=0.010) and high BVD showed a positive correlation with the occurrence of metastasis (p=0.049). The strong expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in GIST's cells was not correlated with the clinical parameters of aggressiveness, nor with high LVD.