Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship to tumor growth and metastasis.

To understand the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the growth, metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), immunohistochemistry and Northern blot were used to investigate VEGF protein and mRNA in 21 cases of HCC with and without metastasis. VEGF protein was found in 8 of 9 cases with metastasis, whereas only in 4 of 12 cases without metastasis. The positive rate of the former was significantly higher than that in the latter. VEGF mRNA was detectable in both carcinoma and its surrounding liver tissues, but its level in the former was 2-3 times higher than that in the latter. In carcinoma with metastasis, the mRNA level was 5-6 times higher than that without metastasis. It is concluded that VEGF is closely related to the growth of HCC as well as its metastasis and it might be a useful indicator for the metastatic potential of HCC.