VEGF expression and immune cells density index in rectal cancer could predict prognosis

Aim: Common prognostic factors do not fully predict clinical outcomes in colorec- tal cancer. The prognosis depends on clinic-pathological data. Also it is known that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumour infiltrating immune cells are a possible prognostic factor in solid tumours. Our purpose to investigate the signifi- cance of VEGF expression as well as changes of immune cells in tumour tissue for survival. Method: Retrospective analysis of 101 patients who underwent rectal resection was performed. VEGF expression and macrophages and T cells density was assessed after staining with anti CD68 and CD3 antibody respectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate prognostic sign ificance of VEGF and immune cells expression for overall survival. Results: The deceased patients demonstrated significantly lower expression of VEGF and CD 68 (P = 0.05). Moreover, the deceased patients were associated with advanced tumour, metastases in lymph nodes and distant metastases. According to univariate analysis poorer survival was predicted by lower expression of VEGF (P = 0.025) and higher index of CD68/CD3 (P = 0.004) in rectal tumour cells and lymph node metastases (P = 0.04). Conclusion: VEGF expression and CD68/CD3 index of rectal adenocarcinoma tis- sue could be considered as an objective marker to predict prognosis of survival