Abstract:

Objective To investigate the expressions of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in esophageal squamous c
ell carcinoma（ESCC）tissue and their relationship with vasculogenic mimicry (VM).Methods 162 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues
 were collected.CD34/periodic acid-schiff double staining was performed to observe the distribution of VM in ESCC tissue,and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of  TFPI-2 and MMP-9 in ESCC tissue.The relationship between VM  and the clinicopathologic parameters of ESCC,the expressions of TFPI-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed.Results The positive rate of VM in  ESCC tissue was 20.37%.The positive rate of VM in poorly differentiated group(40.38%) was significantly higher than those in moderately differentiated group(11.76%) and well differentiated group(7.14%)（χ2=20.915，P<0.01）.The positive rate of VM in TNM Ⅰ-Ⅱ (11.59%) group  was significantly lower than that in TNM Ⅲ group(26.88%)（χ2=5.707，P=0.017）.The positive rate of TFPI-2 in VM(+) group(33.34%) was significantly higher than that in VM(-) group(6.45%) （χ2=4.582，P=0.032） in poorly differentiated ESCC. The positive rate of MMP-9 in VM(+) group(78.79%) was significantly higher than that in VM(-) group(44.96%) （χ2=12.05，P=0.001）. The expression level of TFPI-2 in poorly differentiated group was positively correlated with  VM（r=0.166，P=0.032),and the expression level of MMP-9 was positively correlated with the VM（r=0.183,P=0.018）.The five-year survival rate in VM(－) group was significant higher than that in VM(+) group(χ2=22.84，P<0.001).Conclusion VM exists in ESCC tissue,especially in poorly differentiated and advanced ESCC tissue.VM is related to poor  prognostis of  ESCC.TFPI-2 and MMP-9 might involve in the formation of VM in ESCC.

Key words: esophageal neoplasms, vasculogenic mimicry, tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2, matrix metalloproteinases-9