Prognostic significance of expression of thymidine phosphorylase and vascular endothelial growth factor in human gastric carcinoma

Background and Objectives: Both thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) and vasc ular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are well-characterized inducers of an giogenesis. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of thes e antigens and their prognostic significance in gastric carcinoma. Methods: Medical records of 102 patients with stage II tumor were retrospec tively reviewed. Primary tumors were studied by immunohistochemical stainin g for dThdPase and VEGF. Results: Positive dThdPase expression was observed in 52 (51%) tumors and p ositive VEGF expression in 53 (52%) tumors. There was a significant correla tion between the positive expression of VEGF and lymphatic invasion. The pa tients with dThdPase-positive carcinoma showed a significantly worse progno sis than those with dThdPase-negative carcinoma in stage II. Moreover, the frequency of hepatic recurrence was significantly higher in the patients wi th dThdPase-positive and VEGF-positive tumors than in those with dThdPase-n egative and VEGF-negative tumors. Conclusions: Combination analysis of dThdPase and VEGF expression in gastri c carcinoma appears to be well-characterized inductors of prognosis and met astasis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001:76:31-36. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.