PLATELET-DERIVED ENDOTHELIAL-CELL GROWTH FACTOR THYMIDINE PHOSPHORYLASE EXPRESSION CORRELATED WITH TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS AND MACROPHAGE INFILTRATION IN COLORECTAL-CANCER

To clarify whether platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thy midine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP) expression in both tumor cells and s tromal cells has independent or synergistic effects on tumor angiogene sis and progression and to explore a possible regulator for PD-ECGF/TP expression, immunohistochemical staining was conducted on 148 specime ns of colorectal cancer. The microvessel count was significantly corre lated with the extent of PD-ECGF/TP expression. Macrophage infiltratio n in tumors with positive TP was significantly higher than in tumors w ith negative TP (P < 0.001). The Cox model showed that PD-ECGF/TP expr ession was an independent prognostic factor, although the microvessel count had a stronger value in determining the patient prognosis. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.