Objective To study the role that vascular endothelial growth factorC plays in the lymph node metastasis of the squamous cell carcinoma （SCC） of tongue.Methods An established VEGFC transfected Tca8113 cell strain （VcTca） was heterotransplanted into BALB/C nude mice subcutaneously. The expression of VEGFC and VEGFR3 was detected. The property of tumorigenesis and metastasis of the transfected cell was investigated.Results Jugular lymphatic metastases developed in 4/6 mice of VcTca group in 6 weeks after transplantation, while no lymph node metastasis was found in mice with tumors of nontransfected Tca8113 cell （Tca） and mock transfected cell（pDTca） at the same time. There was no difference in tumor weight among VcTca, pDTca and Tca （P>0 05）.Conclusion\ It is suggested that VEGFC could promote lymph node metastatic ability of Tca8113 cell, and could be utilized as a target of new regimen in prevention and treatment for lymphatic metastasis of oral carcinomas.
