Abstract
Increasing evidence from experimental studies indicates that apoptosis may be related to angiogenesis in tumor progression. To explore how spontaneous apoptosis correlates with tumor angiogenesis, we measured the apoptotic index (AI) using the ApopTag kit (Oncor) and intratumoral microvessel density using an anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody in 101 cases of gastric carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 labeling index and the expression of p53 were conducted simultaneously. Statistical analysis revealed an inverse correlation between AIs and intratumoral microvessel densities (r = -0.4066, P < 0.0001) and failed to find significant correlations between AI and Ki-67 labeling index, as well as the expression of p53. The results of this study demonstrated for the first time that the incidence of apoptosis in gastric carcinoma is significantly influenced by the extent of neovascularization and suggests that tumor angiogenesis may contribute to a reduction of apoptosis in tumor cells.
Footnotes
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↵1 This study was supported in part by a grant entitled “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas—Cancer” from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan.
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↵2 To whom requests for reprints should be addressed. Phone: 81 776 61 3111, ext. 2347; Fax: 81 776 61 8114; E-mail: nobu@fmsrsa.fukui-med.ac.jp.
- Received October 18, 1996.
- Accepted November 27, 1996.
- ©1997 American Association for Cancer Research.
Volume 57, Issue 2
