The Relationship Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D Expression And Angiogenesis In Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective To explore vascular endothelial growthfactor-D (VEGF-D) protein expression and its relation to microvessel density (MVD) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)was used to detect serum VEGF-D concerntration and MVD of tissue sections was counted after the endothelial cells were immunostained by anti-CD34 antibody in 29 cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results Serum VEGF-D expression and MVD were positively conelated with tumor metastases (9.05+3.58∽13.48 +7.48∽31.20+14.50 ; 24.47+3.45,27.92+1.81,30.14+4.05; p<0.05). No significant difference was found between VEGF-D or MVD and tumor diameter or differentiation degree. VEGF-D concerntration in serum was closely correlated with MVD in hepatocellular carcinoma,r=0.505 ,p=0.005. Conclusion VEGF-D plays an important role in angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The investigation into VEGF-D expression and MVD of hepatocellular carcinoma is useful for the diagnosis of vascular invasion and metastases.