Objective    To investigate the expressions of EphA2 and its ligand EphrinA1 and their relationship with angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma.     Methods    Expressions of EphA2

EphrinA1 and CD34-stained microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemical assay in gastric carcinoma tissues

adjacent tissues (1.5 to 2 cm from the mass) and normal gastric mucosa (5 to 10 cm from the mass) from 82 cases. The correlations among EphA2 and EphrinA1 expressions

MVD and clinic pathological features were analyzed.     Results    EphA2

EphrinA1 expressions and MVD in gastric carcinomas tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues and normal gastric tissues (P0.01). They were related to histological differentiation

depth of invasion and lymphatic metastasis (P0.05)

while MVD had relationship with diameter of tumor (P0.05). A significant positive correlation between EphA2 or EphrinA1 expression and MVD was observed by the Spearman rank correlation test (r=0.485

P0.01

r=0.512

P0.01).     Conclusion    EphA2 and its ligand EphrinA1 are specifically over-expressed in gastric cancer and may be involved in the angiogenesis and play an important role in the initiation and progression in gastric carcinoma.