Tumour vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF m

Authors: Börje Ljungberg Jan Jacobsen Stina HäggströmRudolfssson Torgny Rasmuson Gudrun Lindh Kjell Grankvist

Publish Date: 2003/09/13

Volume: 31, Issue: 5, Pages: 335-340

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Abstract

Angiogenesis is gaining interest because of its importance in tumour growth and metastasis Renal cell carcinoma RCC is known to be a wellvascularized tumour The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of VEGF mRNA and receptor flt1 mRNA VEGF R1 in a clinical material of RCCs compared with clinicopathological variables and serum VEGF levels Total RNA was extracted from snapfrozen tumour tissue obtained from 61 patients Expression of mRNA for VEGF121 VEGF165 and flt1 were analysed using quantitative RTPCR Relative VEGF mRNA levels corrected for corresponding cyclophilin value were related to stage grade RCC type and survival time Serum VEGF165 protein was analysed using a quantitative ELISA Papillary RCC had significantly lower VEGF121 and flt1 mRNA levels compared with conventional RCC p=0001 VEGF121 mRNA levels were significantly lower in locally advanced tumours in relation to tumours limited to the kidney and those with metastatic disease p=0047 and p=0036 This statistical difference disappeared when only conventional RCCs were evaluated No association was found between VEGF mRNA levels and nuclear grade Patients with lower VEGF121 mRNA levels had significantly longer survival time compared with those with higher levels when adjusted to stage p=00097 log rank test There was an inverse relation between VEGF165 mRNA and serum VEGF165 levels The trend to lower VEGF121 mRNA levels in locally advanced RCC indicate that angiogenic activity and degradation might be upregulated in tumours with a high ability to invade The association with tumour progression shows that VEGF is a promising angiogenic factor especially important in conventional RCCs VEGF expression might possibly be of help to identify RCCs susceptible for antiangiogenic therapies

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