Abstract: Purpose: To determine the correlation between Helicobacter pylori L-form (Hp-L) infection in human esophageal carcinoma (EC) and microvessel density(MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and P53 expression, and to study the effect of Hp-L on the malignant biological behaviors of EC. Methods: Hp-L was examined in 98 patients with EC and 30 controls using Gram stain and immunohistochemical (ABC method). VEGF, P53 protein and MVD were examined immunohistochemically (SP method), and their relationship to clinicopathologic factors was analyzed. Results: The positive rates of Hp-L, MVD, VEGF and P53 in cancer group were significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.005～P<0.001). The positive rates of MVD,VEGF and P53 in Hp-L positive group of EC were significantly higher than that in Hp-L negative group (P<0.005～ P<0.001). The positive rates of Hp-L were correlated with MVD (r=0.46, P<0.01), and with the expression of VEGF and P53 (r=0.31, P<0.01). The positive cases of Hp-L in EC group correlated with vessel invasion, the depth of invasion, esophageal side, and distant lymph node metastasis, but the relation to tumor size was not significant. Conclusion: Hp-L infection in EC is closely related to tumor angiogenesis, and may be one of the important factor leading to the EC growth, invasion and metastasis.

Key words: carcinoma, esophageal, helicobacter pylori, vascular endothelial growth factor