Activation of different growth factor systems in tissues of adenocarcinoma and signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach

Purpose of the study. The purpose of the study was to find the difference between local levels of VEGF, EGF, IGFI and IG- FII in tumor and intact tissues in adenocarcinoma of the stomach (AC) and signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach (SRCC).

Materials and methods. Levels of VEGF, EGF, EGFR, IGF-I and IGFII were determined by ELISA in tumor and intact gastric tissues of 15 AC patients and 10 SRCC patients (T_2-3N_0-2M₀, G2-3), mean age 62.8±2.38 years.

Results. Levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and VEGF in intact gastric tissues were similar at AC and SRCC, but EGF and EGFR levels at AC were higher than at SRCC. Level of VEGF in AC tumor tissue, compared to intact gastric tissue, increased by 2.3 times and IGFI and IGFII decreased by 2.1 and 1.8 times, respectively. Tumor tissue of SRCC showed the increased level of EGF (by 2.9 times) and EGFR (by 1.8 times), tissue of SRCC was characterized by the activation of system of EGF and IGF, but not VEGF. Tissue of AC demonstrated the stimulation of VEGFA neoangiogenesis.

Conclusion. A significant difference was observed in the levels of VEGF-A, IGF-I and IGF-II and components of the EGF system in gastric tumors and visually intact tissues in G2-G3 AC and SRCC. The higher activity of the EGF and IGF systems in SRCC is probably associated with diffuse growth characteristics and the origin from neuroendocrine cells, which serves as an autocrine/paracrine regulation of invasive growth. AC with solid structure is more in need of neoangiogenesis carried out mainly by the VEGF system.

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