Interleukin 8 and vascular endothelial growth factor - prognostic factors in human gastric carcinomas?

Gastric carcinoma cells express potent angiogenic factors including vascula r endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We previously reported that interleukin -8 (IL-8) acts as an angiogenic factor for human gastric carcinomas. More r ecently, we found that IL-8 upregulates. matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and increases invasive activity of gastric carcinoma cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the expression of IL-8 and VEGF correlates with clinicopathological parameters in human gastric carcin omas. IL-8 and VEGF expression levels were measured by an enzyme-linked imm unosorbent assay (ELISA) in 56 gastric carcinomas and the surrounding norma l mucosa. Macroscopic and histopathological tumour findings, presence of me tastasis. and prognosis were obtained from the patient records and endoscop ic, surgical and pathological reports. IL-8 protein levels were higher in m ost neoplasms than in the corresponding normal mucosal tissue. In contrast, VEGF expression in the tumours was similar to that in normal mucosa. The I L-8 level in the neoplasms correlated significantly with the depth of invas ion, venous invasion and lymphatic invasion. VEGF expression in the tumours correlated well with the depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis. No c orrelation between IL-8 and VEGF expression in the tumours was observed. Th e survival rates of patients with tumours displaying high IL-8 and VEGF exp ression levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of patients w ith tumours displaying low IL-8 and VEGF expression. The results suggest th at IL-8 and VEGF may be independent and important prognostic factors in hum an gastric carcinomas. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.