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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF are closely linked to growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of gastric
Huachuan Zheng1, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Yoshihiro Murai
1Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan.
Background:
Gastric carcinoma is still a major leading cause of cancer death in East Asia. Since angiogenesis is a necessary condition for invasion and metastasis, its regulation is of essential significance.
Materials And Methods:
Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were examined with microarray of gastric carcinoma tissue samples (n = 249) by immunostaining. In addition, microvessel density (MVD) was assessed after labelling with the anti-CD34 antibody. Data were cross-compared with clinicopathological parameters of tumors, including PTEN expression.
Results:
Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were positively correlated with tumour size, depth of invasion, lymphatic and venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, UICC staging and MVD of gastric carcinomas (p < 0.05).VEGF expression was positively linked with levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (p < 0.05), but negatively with PTEN (p < 0.05). The latter was also inversely associated with the MVD in gastric carcinomas (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF largely contribute to the angiogenesis and progression of gastric carcinomas. PTEN might inhibit the processes by down-regulating VEGF expression. These parameters should be regarded as good markers to indicate pathobiological behaviours of gastric carcinomas.
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