ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on the levels of microvessel density(MVD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and prognosis in postoperative patients with rectal cancer.

MethodsNinety-six rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with resection and 86 rectal cancer patients treated with surgical resection were divided into the observation group and control group, respectively.The observation group was treated with rectal cancer radical surgery after routine segmental radiotherapy using 6 MV X-ray linear accelerator combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for 4 to 6 weeks.The levels of MVD, PCNA and VEGF in surgical specimens in observation group before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were detected.The expression levels of MVD, PCNA and VEGF in control group before and after operation were detected.The expression levels of MVD, PCNA and VEGF, and prognosis between two groups were compared before and after operation.The recurrence rates in two groups during 3-year following up were recorded.

ResultsAfter operation, the expression levels of MVD and PCNA in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group(P < 0.01).There was not statistical significance in VEGF expression between two groups(P>0.05).The recurrence rates in control group and observation group during 3-year following up were 9.3% and 2.1%, respectively, the difference of which was not statistically significant(P>0.05).

ConclusionsNeoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can decrease the expression levels of MVD and PCNA in rectal cancer patients.