Objective: To investigate the angiogenesis in human colorectal carcinoma and its modulation by p53 and K-ras gene.
Methods: The positive rate of p53 and K-ras gene mutation, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density in 68 cancer tissue, peritumoral tissue samples and 20 normal controls were studied by PCR-SSCP and immunohistochemical methods.
Results: The positive rate of p53 and K-ras gene mutation and the expression of VEGF in cancer tissue (47.1%, 32/68; 44.1%, 30/68; 55.9%, 38/68) were significantly higher than in peritumoral tissue (13.2%, 9/68; 7.4%, 5/68; 11.8%, 8/68). p53, K-ras gene mutation and the expression of VEGF were not detected in 20 normal tissue. The expression of VEGF was closely related with the angiogenesis and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma (r = 0.820, P < 0.01). VEGF expression correlated with both p53 and K-ras gene mutation (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: p53 and K-ras gene upregulated the expression of VEGF. p53 and K-ras gene might play an important role in modulating tumor angiogenesis.