ObjectiveTo find the role of oncogene cmet and suppressor gene p53 in the process of tumor angiogenesis and their clinical significance. MethodsBy immunohistochemical method and computer image analysis technique, microvessel count and cmet, p53 protein expression were quantitatively determined in 80 cases of breast carcinoma and 20 cases of breast fibroadenoma. ResultsThe high microvessel count and the positive expression of cmet, p53 were significantly correlated with histologic grade, lymph node metastasis and the stage of the tumor (P＜0.01). The high microvessel count was significantly correlated with the positive expression of cmet and p53 (P＜0.01).ConclusionBoth oncogene cmet and suppressor gene p53 modulate tumor angiogenesis of breast carcinoma.
Objective To investigate the expression of c-met in tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and to compare it with other types of thyroid carcinoma and benign thyroid tissue. Methods The expressions of c-met in 60 cases of thyroid specimens were tested by immunohistochemical staining. Results The levels of expressed c-met in tall cell variant specimens were significantly higher than those in other types of papillary thyroid carcinoma and benign thyroid tissue. c-met expressions were significantly different in the following pairs of types: tall cell variant vs common papillary carcinoma of thyroid (P=0.000 1), tall cell variant vs follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (P=0.000 1), and tall cell variant vs benign thyroid tissue (P=0.000 1). In addition, for all types of papillary carcinomas evaluated, c-met expression was significantly higher in specimens with extracapsular spread (P=0.010 0) and skeletal muscle invasion (P=0.020 0). Conclusion The high expression of c-met is a significant marker for tall cell variant papillary carcinoma of thyroid and its invasive behavior. This finding may explain the unusually aggressive behavior of this tumor and suggest a role for c-met in the early identification of patients with tall cell variant thyroid carcinoma.