Evaluation of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C Role in Urothelial Carcinomas of the Bladder

Abstract

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has been associated with angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph node metastasis and was reported to have an anti-apoptotic and proliferative role. Materials and Methods: An immunohistochemical study was applied to 123 specimens of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) to detect VEGF-C and investigate its clinicopathological and prognostic value. VEGF-C-immunostained BUC specimens (123) were statistically correlated with histological grade and stage, patient overall survival and immuno-expression of Ki-67 and bax proteins. Results: VEGF-C immunopositivity (27/123 BUCs, 22.0%) was inversely correlated with tumor stage and bax immunoexpression (p=0.007 and p=0.032, respectively). VEGF-C-positive BUCs tended to have better prognosis (univariate analysis). Conclusion: VEGF-C might be associated with an anti-apoptotic phenotype. Our controversial results regarding patient survival suggest that the role of VEGF-C in BUC progression and prognosis remains to be clarified.