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Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 11/2011

01-11-2011 | Original Article

Roles of VEGF-C and Smad4 in the Lymphangiogenesis, Lymphatic Metastasis, and Prognosis in Colon Cancer

Authors: Xuemei Li, Baoquan Liu, Jianbing Xiao, Ying Yuan, Jing Ma, Yafang Zhang

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 11/2011

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Abstract

Background/Aims

We combined two different signal pathways on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-Smad and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C)/VEGF receptors for exploring changes in pathway members and their influence on lymphangiogenesis and clinicopathological features.

Materials and Methods

Expression of TGF-β1, TGF-βRII, Smad4, VEGF-C, and VEGFR-3 was immunohistochemically evaluated in 147 colon cancer patients who were followed up for 5 years.

Results

Lymphatic vessel density in colon cancer tissues was significantly higher than in normal colonic tissues. Smad4 expression negatively correlated with lymphatic vessel count and VEGF-C expression. VEGF-C expression positively correlated with lymphatic vessel count. Analysis using the Kaplan–Meier method indicated that patients with VEGF-C-positive tumors had significantly shorter overall survival and tumor-free survival time than those with VEGF-C-negative tumors. Patients with Smad4-negative tumors had significantly shorter overall survival and tumor-free survival time than those with Smad4-positive tumors.

Conclusions

Both Smad4 and VEGF-C are involved in lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. Smad4 and VEGF-C expression may be clinically useful indicators for prognostic evaluation in colon cancer patients.
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Metadata
Title
Roles of VEGF-C and Smad4 in the Lymphangiogenesis, Lymphatic Metastasis, and Prognosis in Colon Cancer
Authors
Xuemei Li
Baoquan Liu
Jianbing Xiao
Ying Yuan
Jing Ma
Yafang Zhang
Publication date
01-11-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 11/2011
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-011-1627-2

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