Differential Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and VEGF Receptors in the Sequence of Hyperplastic Polyp, Serrated Adenoma and Adenocarcinoma of Colorectum

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AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the role for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2, in the hyperplastic polyp (HP)- serrated adenoma (SA)-adenocarcinoma (AC) sequence of the colorectum.Methods: Thirty-six HPs, 33 SAs and 7 ACs (which contained HP and/or SA) were immunohistochemically examined for the expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2.Results: VEGF protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of SA and AC tumor cells, and VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were expressed both in the cytoplasm and on the membrane of these tumors, while there was faint or no expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in HPs. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that 8.3% (3 of 36) HPs, 87.9% (29 of 33) SAs and 100% (7 of 7) ACs were positive for VEGF; 2.8% (1 of 36) HPs, 97.0% (32 of 33) SAs and 100% (7 of 7) ACs were positive for VEGFR-1; 16.7% (6 of 36) HPs, 100% (33 of 33) SAs and 100% (7 of 7) ACs were positive for VEGFR-2. The expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2 was statistically correlated with the sequence of HP, SA and AC (P < 0.0001, respectively) Conclusion: Our results suggest that the VEGF pathway may play an important role in the HP-SA-AC sequence.