Vascular endothelial growth factors and their receptors in the novel human cell line, HN-Eso-1, established from esophageal spindle cell carcinoma.

Human carcinosarcomas of esophagus are uncommon malignant neoplasms that are composed both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. We established a novel cell line, HN-Eso-1, from the metastatic esophageal spindle cell carcinoma (so-called carcinosarcoma). In this study, we estimated the vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies revealed that VEGF-A, -C, -D and VEGFR-1, -2 were upregulated. Cisplatin reduced the cell viability of HN-Eso-1 cells and VEGF attenuated its effect. These results suggest that expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 are involved in the cell's autocrine system and that VEGF protected these cells from the anti-tumor agent.