Relationship between the Expression of VEGF, Flk-1 and Flt —1 Proteins and Clinicopathology in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between the expression of VEGF, Flk-1 and Flt—1 proteins and clinical pathology in hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS The expression of VEGF, Flk-1 and Flt—1 proteins in hepatocellular carcinomas from 60 patients was determined by immunohistochemistry (ABC method) and VEGF expression in relation to the clinicopathology evaluated.

RESULTS The positive rates of VEGF, Flk-1 and Flt — 1 protein expression were 81.3%, 88.3%, 80.0% in tumor tissues, respectively, rates which were significantly higher than those in normal liver tissue (P<0.05). The expression of VEGF protein was correlated with the histologic grade and metastases of the tumors.

CONCLUSION The results showed that, in hepatocellular carcinoma, a higher expression of VEGF protein was associated with a higher degree of malignancy and a greater tendency for metastases. VEGF, Flk-1 and Flt—1 play an important role in tumourgenesis.