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

• Autores: Antonio Talvane Torres de Oliveira, Rui M. Reis, Julieta Afonso, Olga Martinho, Delcio Matos, Andre Lopes Carvalho, Vinicius Lima Vazquez, Thiago Buosi Silva, Cristovam Scapulatempo, Sarha Sydney Saad, Adhemar Longatto Filho
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 26, Nº. 12, 2011, págs. 1499-1507
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • 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