Abstract
Previous studies have shown that increased vascularity is associated with haematogenous metastasis and poor prognosis in gastric cancer. The role of erythropoietin (Epo) in angiogenesis has not been completely clarified, although its involvement has been reported. In this study we correlated microvascular density and Epo receptor (Epo-R) expression in endothelial and tumour cells with histopathological type in gastric cancer. Specimens of primary gastric adenocarcinomas obtained from 40 patients who had undergone curative gastrectomy were investigated immunohistochemically by using anti-CD31 and anti-Epo-R antibodies. Stage IV gastric carcinoma had a higher degree of vascularization than other stages, and Epo-R expression in both endothelial and tumour cells increased in parallel with malignancy grade and was highly correlated with the extent of angiogenesis. Epo-R level correlates with angiogenesis and progression of patients with gastric carcinoma and we suggest that Epo might have a trophic effect on the vasculature of the gastrointestinal tract. Understanding mechanisms of gastric cancer angiogenesis provides a basis for a rational approach to the development of an anti-angiogenic therapy in patients with gastric cancer.
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