Abstract:Objective:To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C) and matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP-7) in gastric carcinoma and their correlation with tumor invasion and metastasis. Methods:Streptavidin peroxidase immunohistochemistry technique(SP)was used to detect the expression of VEGF-C and MMP-7 in 60 gastric carcinoma specimens, 60 specimens of gastric mucosa adjacent to carcinoma, and 30 regional lymph node specimens. Results:The positive expression rate of VEGF-C,MMP-7 in gastric carcinoma was markedly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa and gastric mucosa adjacent to carcinoma . The positive expression rates of VEGF-C and MMP-7 in metastatic regional lymph nodes were significantly higher than that in non-metastatic regional lymph nodes(P<0.01).The positive expression of VEGF-C and MMP-7 in gastric carcinoma specmens in patients with lymphatic metastasis was significantly higher than that in without lymphatic metastasis(P<0.05).The positive expression level of VEGF-C and MMP-7 was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis,lymphatic vessel invasion, tumor infiltration depth and UICC TNM staging(P<0.05). Conclusions:The increased expression of VEGF-C and MMP-7 in gastric carcinoma closely correlates with tumor invasion and metastasis.