THYMIDINE PHOSPHORYLASE PLATELET-DERIVED ENDOTHELIAL-CELL GROWTH-FACTOR EXPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATIC METASTASIS IN GASTRIC-CARCINOMA/

It is known that angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth an d metastasis of solid tumours. Several angiogenic factors have been id entified and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is thought to be one such factor. Recently, it was reported that thym idine phosphorylase (dThdPase) is identical to PD-ECGF. Using immunohi stochemical staining with an anti-dThdPase antibody, we investigated t he correlation between dThdPase expression and the microvessel density in 120 gastric carcinomas. The microvessel density, determined by imm unostaining for factor VIII-related antigen, was significantly higher in dThdPase-positive tumours than in dThdPase-negative tumours. There was a significant correlation between dThdPase expression and the incr ement of microvessel density. Moreover, regarding distant organ metast asis, the frequency of hepatic metastasis was significantly higher (P< 0.01) in patients with dThdPase-positive rumours than in those with dT hdPase-negative tumours. In summary, it was suggested that dThdPase ex pression is closely associated with the promotion of angiogenesis and hepatic metastasis in gastric carcinoma.