EXPRESSION OF CHONDROMODULIN‑1 AND VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR‑A IN ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA AND INFLUENCE ON TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS

Qiang Liu¹, Shukang Li^{2, *}, Hui Li³, Weimin Luo¹, Liqiang Xu¹

¹Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China - ²Department of Dermatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China - ³Department of Oncology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China

Objective: To analyze the expression of Chondromodulin‑1 and vascular endothelial growth factor‑A in esoph-ageal squamous cell carcinoma and influence on tumor angiogenesis.

Methods: The specimens of 82 cases with normal squamous epithelium, 14 cases with regenerative squamous epithelium, 82 cases with superficial esophageal carcinoma and 14 cases with regenerative squamous epithelium were selected. The positive rates of VEGF-A and ChM-1 expression in different types of tissues were compared and the relationship between microvascular structure and tumor invasion depth under magnifying endoscopy were evaluated. Meanwhile, the correlation between MVD and VEGF-A and ChM-1 expression were analyzed. 

Results: There were significant difference in median MVD of CD31 immunohistochemical staining among 3 groups (P<0.05). The median MVD of EP/LPM and MM/higher grade tumors were significantly higher than normal squamous epithelial cells (P<0.05). The VEGF-A positive rate of MM/higher grade tumor cells were significantly higher than EP/LPM (P<0.05). The ChM-1 positive rate of MM / higher grade tumor cells were significantly lower than EP/LPM (P<0.05). The VEGF-A positive rate of type B vascular tumor cells were significantly higher than type C (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the positive rates of VEGF-A and ChM-1 between type B and type C monocytes (P>0.05). The median MVD of VEGF-A positive monocytes were significantly higher than VEGF-A negative monocytes (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in median MVD between ChM-1 positive and negative tumor cells/monocytes (P>0.05). 

Conclusion: Angiogenesis is closely related to the expression of VEGF-A and chm-1 in the early stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.