Vasoactive intestinal peptide and its relationship to tumor stage in colorectal carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study

Background:

Background:

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is considered to influence cellular proliferation through its action on adenylate cyclase. This study examined VIP in the tumor-neighboring mucosa (TM) and remote normal mucosa (RM) in patients with colorectal carcinoma, and explored its relationship to tumor stage.

Methods:

Immunohistochemical staining of VIP, using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex technique, was performed on TM and RM from 55 patients, surgically resected colorectal carcinomas. The VIP immunoreactivity in the lamina propria (LP) of TM and RM was semi-quantitatively graded, according to the density of VIP immunoreactive fibrous strands, and correlated with clinical characteristics, pathological findings, and tumor stage.

Results:

VIP immunoreactivity in the LP of TM and RM was found mainly as fibrous strands, some of which were nerve fibers. A few pericryptal myofibroblasts also showed VIP immunoreactivity. The VIP immunoreactivity in the LP was significantly greater in TM than in RM. The VIP immunoreactivity in the LP of TM was marginally greater in lesions with distant metastasis. The VIP immunoreactivity in the LP of RM was significantly greater in lesions with deeper wall penetration, in those with lymph node metastasis, and in those at more advanced stages.

Conclusions:

These results suggest a possible trophic role of VIP in the progression of colorectal carcinoma, or enhanced VIP secretion secondary to or in parallel with the progression of carcinoma.