Korean J Urol.  2003 Mar;44(3):256-261.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma

• Jeon SS
• Kim TW
• Kim WJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: Both the development and progression of a tumor are angiogenesis dependent, the induction of which is mediated by several angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This study was performed to evaluate the expression of VEGF in the tumor tissues of patients with bladder tumors. The correlation of VEGF with the tumor grade and stage was also evaluated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The quantification for the VEGF mRNA expression was assessed in 117 human bladder tumor tissues and 17 normal bladder mucosae of controls, using a quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (QC-PCR). We compared the levels of VEGF mRNA expression between the bladder tumors and the normal bladder mucosae of the controls, the bladder tumors and the surrounding normal bladder mucosae, and according to tumor grades and stages.
RESULTS
The VEGF mRNA expression in the bladder tumor tissues was significantly higher than in the normal bladder mucosae of the controls and the surrounding normal bladder mucosae. The VEGF expression was significantly higher in the grade III than the grade I bladder tumors. There was no significant difference in VEGF expression with regard to the tumor stage.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that angiogenesis, mediated by VEGF, may be involved in the neoplastic growth of bladder tumors and the tumor's aggressiveness.

Keyword

Bladder tumor; Angiogenesis; Vascular endothelial growth factor

MeSH Terms

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell*
Humans*
Mucous Membrane
Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger
Urinary Bladder
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
RNA, Messenger
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A