Korean J Urol.  2001 Dec;42(12):1251-1257.

The Prognostic Value of Tumor Angiogenesis, Hepatocyte Growth Factor and c-met Expression in Renal Cell Carcinoma

• Park HJ
• Lee SD
• Chung MK

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor angiogenesis and angiogenic factors such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and c-met in renal cell carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining on HGF, c-met expression and angiogenesis was performed in 35 renal cell carcinoma tissues and 18 benign renal tissues. HGF and c-met were identified with specific corresponding antibodies. Cases were considered positive when HGF and c-met expression were seen in more than one third of cells. To evaluate the angiogenesis, the microvessels were determined by anti-CD31 immunohistochemistry. We compaired HGF, c-met and microvessel count with clinicopathologic characteristics such as stage, nuclear grade and histology in renal cell carcinoma.
RESULTS
Among 35 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 16 patients (45.7%) showed positive stain for HGF and c-met. HGF, c-met overexpression and microvessel count were significantly correlated with tumor stage and nuclear grade of renal cell carcinoma (p<0.05), but not correlated with cell type of renal cell carcinoma.
CONCLUSIONS
This results suggested that both HGF and c-met overexpression and angiogenesis measured by microvessels count could be significant prognostic indicators of renal cell carcinoma.

Keyword

Hepatocyte growth factor; Tumor angiogenesis; Prognosis; Renal cell carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Antibodies
Carcinoma, Renal Cell*
Hepatocyte Growth Factor*
Hepatocytes*
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Microvessels
Prognosis
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Antibodies
Hepatocyte Growth Factor