Correlations of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor B and its isoforms in hepatocellular carcinoma with clinico‐pathological parameters

Abstract

Background The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in the growth of cancer cells through angiogenesis. At present the role of VEGF‐B has not been clarified completely. We investigated correlations of the expression of VEGF‐B and its isoforms, VEGF‐B167 and VEGF‐B186, by alternative splicing in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the pathological findings and prognosis. Methods Forty‐eight patients with HCC were investigated. We examined the mRNA expression of total VEGF‐B, VEGF‐B167 and VEGF‐B186 in primary HCC and non‐cancerous tissues using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. Results In 16 (33.3%) of 48 HCCs, the expression of total VEGF‐B increased compared with the corresponding non‐cancerous liver tissues. Regarding the isoforms, the expression of VEGF‐B167 and VEGF‐B186 was increased in 17 (35.4%) of 48 and 33 (68.75%) of 48 HCCs, respectively. Cases with high expression level of total VEGF‐B in HCC significantly correlated with the advanced pathological stage (P < 0.018), tumor multiplicity (P < 0.033), vascular invasion (P < 0.045) and lack of capsule formation (P < 0.027). The result in VEGF‐B167 was similar to total VEGF‐B. Conclusions Our results indicated that the expression of VEGF‐B is correlated with tumor growth and invasiveness in HCC. VEGF‐B167 seemed to be the clinically dominant isoform. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:190–196.