Abstract:
Objective This work aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of vasculogenic mimicry (VM), toanalyze the relationship between VM and αvβ3 integrin expressions, and to study the clinical significance of αvβ3 integrin expressionand its correlation with the Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and Matrix Metalloproteinase2 (MMP-2) expression.
Methods VM expression was observed by CD31 immunohistochemical and PAS staining. Expression of αvβ3integrin, FAK, VEGF, and MMP-2 was observed by immunohistochemical staining.
Results Results showed that VM and αvβ3 integrinhad positive rates of 18.06% (41/227) and 56.83% (129/227), respectively. Patients with VM expression had a shorter survival timethan those without VM expression (P < 0.05). αvβ3 integrin-positive patients had a shorter survival time than αvβ3 integrin-negative patients(P < 0.05). Patients with VM expression showed a higher positive rate of αvβ3 integrin than those without VM expression (P < 0.05), and αvβ3 integrin had a positive correlation with FAK, MMP-2, and VEGF expression.
Conclusion The incidence of VM and αvβ3 integrin expressions in human colorectal cancer cases indicates a poor prognosis. αvβ3 integrin possibly participates in the formationof VM through interactions with FAK, VEGF, and MMP-2.