Ann Coloproctol.  2018 Apr;34(2):88-93. 10.3393/ac.2017.10.10.

Association Between c-Met and Lymphangiogenic Factors in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

• Kim HJ
• Baek MJ
• Kang DH
• Lee SC
• Bae SB
• Lee KT
• Lee N
• Kim H
• Jeong D
• Ahn TS
• Lee MS
• Hong DS
• Won JH

• KMID: 2411567
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2017.10.10

Abstract

PURPOSE
Animal models show a strong relationship between lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis. However, the clinical significance of lymphangiogenesis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association between c-Met and lymphangiogenic factors and to elucidate the prognostic significance of c-Met in patients with CRC.
METHODS
A total of 379 tissue samples were obtained from surgically resected specimens from patients with CRC at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital between January 2002 and December 2010. The expressions of c-Met, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, and podoplanin were examined using immunohistochemistry. The expression of c-Met and clinical factors were analyzed.
RESULTS
Of the 379 tissues, 301 (79.4%) had c-Met expression. High expression of c-Met in tumor cells was significantly associated with high expression of VEGF-C (P < 0.001) and VEGFR-3 (P = 0.001). However, no statistically significant association with podoplanin (P = 0.587) or VEGF-D (P = 0.096) was found. Of the 103 evaluable patients, expression of c-Met in tumor cells was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.020), positive lymph node status (P = 0.038), and high expression of VEGF-C (P = 0.020). However, no statistically significant association with podoplanin (P = 0.518), VEGFR-3 (P = 0.085), VEGF-D (P = 0.203), or overall survival (P = 0.360) was found.
CONCLUSION
Our results provide indirect evidence for an association and possible regulatory link of c-Met with the lymphangiogenic markers, but c-Met expression in patients with CRC is not a prognostic indicator for overall survival.

Keyword

Lymphangiogenesis; c-Met; Colorectal neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Chungcheongnam-do
Colorectal Neoplasms*
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Lymph Nodes
Lymphangiogenesis
Models, Animal
Neoplasm Metastasis
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3